A control device for an automobile has at least one sensor (8) for detecting an operational state of the automobile. An output from the sensor is applied to a sample and hold circuit (11) which is adapted to provide a time displaced output to a hierarchical group of neural elements (13). The neural elements operate upon said time displaced signals by varying the weighting of the signals and/or threshold values of the neural elements in accordance with a desired output parameter. The output of the neural computer is applied to a control circuit (2) which is adapted to control an automobile actuator. The hierarchical group of neural elements are provided with numerous forms of different learning functions so that the desired output parameter is achieved. In one such embodiment (Figure 32) desired parameters are applied to said neural computer and to a comparator, signals derived from sensors associated with automobile actuators are also applied to said comparator whereby difference signals are outputted from said comparator to control the weighting and/or threshold levels of the neural elements. The invention may be applied to different functions such as controlling air/fuel ratio, ignition timing, knock control, O₂ sensing, suspension adjustment, and road surface detection.