An industrial experience report on applying search-based boundary input generation to cyber-physical systems

• Published in: Empirical software engineering : an international journal Vol. 30; no. 4; p. 112
• Main Authors: Valle, Pablo, Riccio, Vincenzo, Arrieta, Aitor, Tonella, Paolo, Arratibel, Maite
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.08.2025; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Algorithms; Automation; Case studies; Compilers; Computer Science; Cyber-physical systems; Debugging; Elevators & escalators; Interpreters; Passengers; Programming Languages; Quality of service; Simulation; Software engineering; Software Engineering/Programming and Operating Systems; Subject specialists; Unmanned aerial vehicles; Cyber-physical systems; Simulation-based testing; Search-based test input generation
• ISSN: 1382-3256; 1573-7616
• DOI: 10.1007/s10664-025-10670-w

Testing Cyber Physical Systems (CPS) is crucial, as they play a central role in modern society. In the complex input space of these systems, boundary test inputs provide a valuable asset for test engineers as they identify slight input modifications that dramatically impact Quality of Service. In this experience paper, we propose LiftJanus , the first search-based test generator for CPS that integrates test input minimization, boundary value detection, and automated system repair. We performed an empirical study involving two real-world elevator systems provided by our industrial collaborator, Orona . Our results proved that LiftJanus generated boundary inputs twice as effective as the baselines, with the repair algorithm successfully enhancing the system’s configuration in 76.25% of the cases. Interviews with domain experts confirmed that LiftJanus is a comprehensive solution for enhancing the quality of elevator systems.