In this paper, we are dealing with the problem of controlling unknown nonlinear dynamical system by using neural networks. A novel error self-recurrent(ESR) neural model is presented to perform black-box identification. Through the various outcome of the experiment, a new neural network is seen to be considerably faster than the BP algorithm and has advantages of being less affected by poor initial weights and learning rate. These characteristics make it flexible to design the controller in real-time based on neural networks model. In addition, we design an adaptive PID controller that Keyser suggested by using ESR neural networks, and present a method on the implementation of adaptive controller based on neural network for practical applications. We obtained good results in the case of robot manipulator experiment.