There have been major recent advances in robotic systems that can replace humans in undertaking hazardous activities in demanding or dangerous environments. Published in association with the CLAWAR (Climbing and Walking Robots and Associated Technologies Association) (www.clawar.org), this important book reviews the development of robotic systems for de-mining and other risky activities such as fire-fighting. Part one provides an overview of the use of robots for humanitarian de-mining work. Part two discusses the development of sensors for mine detection whilst Part thee reviews developments in both teleoperated and autonomous robots. Building on the latter, Part four concentrates on robot autonomous navigation. The final part of the book reviews research on multi-agent-systems (MAS) and the multi-robotics-systems (MRS), promising tools that take into account modular design of mobile robots and the use of several robots in multi-task missions. With its distinguished editors and international team of contributors, Using robots in hazardous environments: landmine detection, de-mining and other applications is a standard reference for all those researching the use of robots in hazardous environments as well as government and other agencies wishing to use robots for dangerous tasks such as landmine detection and disposal.

In the era of cyber-physical systems, the area of control of complex systems has grown to be one of the hardest in terms of algorithmic design techniques and analytical tools. The 23 chapters, written by international specialists in the field, cover a variety of interests within the broader field of learning, adaptation, optimization and networked control. The editors have grouped these into the following 5 sections: "Introduction and Background on Control Theory", "Adaptive Control and Neuroscience", "Adaptive Learning Algorithms", "Cyber-Physical Systems and Cooperative Control", "Applications". The diversity of the research presented gives the reader a unique opportunity to explore a comprehensive overview of a field of great interest to control and system theorists. This book is intended for researchers and control engineers in machine learning, adaptive control, optimization and automatic control systems, including Electrical Engineers, Computer Science Engineers, Mechanical Engineers, Aerospace/Automotive Engineers, and Industrial Engineers. It could be used as a text or reference for advanced courses in complex control systems. * Collection of chapters from several well-known professors and researchers that will showcase their recent work * Presents different state-of-the-art control approaches and theory for complex systems * Gives algorithms that take into consideration the presence of modelling uncertainties, the unavailability of the model, the possibility of cooperative/non-cooperative goals and malicious attacks compromising the security of networked teams * Real system examples and figures throughout, make ideas concrete

With near-universal internet access and ever-advancing electronic devices, the ability to facilitate interactions between various hardware and software provides endless possibilities. Though internet of things (IoT) technology is becoming more popular among individual users and companies, more potential applications of this technology are being sought every day. There is a need for studies and reviews that discuss the methodologies, concepts, and possible problems of a technology that requires little or no human interaction between systems. The Handbook of Research on the Internet of Things Applications in Robotics and Automation is a pivotal reference source on the methods and uses of advancing IoT technology. While highlighting topics including traffic information systems, home security, and automatic parking, this book is ideally designed for network analysts, telecommunication system designers, engineers, academicians, technology specialists, practitioners, researchers, students, and software developers seeking current research on the trends and functions of this life-changing technology.

Through expanded intelligence, the use of robotics has fundamentally transformed a variety of fields, including manufacturing, aerospace, medical, social services, and agriculture. Providing successful techniques in robotic design allows for increased autonomous mobility, which leads to a greater productivity level. Novel Design and Applications of Robotics Technologies provides innovative insights into the state-of-the-art technologies in the design and development of robotic technologies and their real-world applications. The content within this publication represents the work of interactive learning, microrobot swarms, and service robots. It is a vital reference source for computer engineers, robotic developers, IT professionals, academicians, and researchers seeking coverage on topics centered on the application of robotics to perform tasks in various disciplines.

Safe Robot Navigation Among Moving and Steady Obstacles is the first book to focus on reactive navigation algorithms in unknown dynamic environments with moving and steady obstacles. The first three chapters provide introduction and background on sliding mode control theory, sensor models, and vehicle kinematics. Chapter 4 deals with the problem of optimal navigation in the presence of obstacles. Chapter 5 discusses the problem of reactively navigating. In Chapter 6, border patrolling algorithms are applied to a more general problem of reactively navigating. A method for guidance of a Dubins-like mobile robot is presented in Chapter 7. Chapter 8 introduces and studies a simple biologically-inspired strategy for navigation a Dubins-car. Chapter 9 deals with a hard scenario where the environment of operation is cluttered with obstacles that may undergo arbitrary motions, including rotations and deformations. Chapter 10 presents a novel reactive algorithm for collision free navigation of a nonholonomic robot in unknown complex dynamic environments with moving obstacles. Chapter 11 introduces and examines a novel purely reactive algorithm to navigate a planar mobile robot in densely cluttered environments with unpredictably moving and deforming obstacles. Chapter 12 considers a multiple robot scenario. For the Control and Automation Engineer, this book offers accessible and precise development of important mathematical models and results. All the presented results have mathematically rigorous proofs. On the other hand, the Engineer in Industry can benefit by the experiments with real robots such as Pioneer robots, autonomous wheelchairs and autonomous mobile hospital.

Industrial automation is driving the development of robot manipulators in various applications, with much of the research effort focussed on flexible manipulators and their advantages compared to their rigid counterparts. This book reports recent advances and new developments in the analysis and control of these robot manipulators. After a general overview of flexible manipulators the book introduces a range of modelling and simulation techniques based on the Lagrange equation formulation, parametric approaches based on linear input/output models using system identification techniques, neuro-modelling approaches, and numerical techniques for dynamic characterisation using finite difference and finite element techniques. Control techniques are then discussed, including a range of open-loop and closed-loop control techniques based on classical and modern control methods including neuro and iterative control, and a range of soft-computing control techniques based on fuzzy logic, neural networks, and evolutionary and bio-inspired optimisation paradigms. Finally the book presents SCEFMAS, a software environment for analysis, design, simulation and control of flexible manipulators. Flexible Robot Manipulators is essential reading for advanced students of robotics, mechatronics and control engineering and will serve as a source of reference for research in areas of modelling, simulation and control of dynamic flexible structures in general and, specifically, of flexible robotic manipulators.

This book covers the most important issues from classical and robust control, deterministic and stochastic control, system identification, and adaptive and iterative control strategies. It covers most of the known control system methodologies using a new base, the Youla parameterization (YP). This concept is introduced and extended for TDOF control loops. The Keviczky-Banyasz parameterization (KP) method developed for closed loop systems is also presented. The book is valuable for those who want to see through the jungle of available methods by using a unified approach, and for those who want to prepare computer code with a given algorithm.

The field of robotics isn't what it used to be. Driven by an explosion in information systems over the past two decades, robotics as a discipline has rapidly evolved from the far-flung fantasies of science fiction to a practical, daily necessity of modern industry. Robotics, Automation, and Control in Industrial and Service Settings meets the challenges presented by the rise of ubiquitous computing by providing a detailed discussion of best practices and future developments in the field. This premier reference source offers a comprehensive overview of current research and emerging theory for a diverse and multidisciplinary audience of students, educators, professionals, and policymakers. This reference work includes research and perspectives from scholars and top industry practitioners in fields such as manufacturing, assistive robotics, bioinformatics, human-computer interaction, and intelligent mechatronics, among others.

This book reviews the state of the art in the use of organic materals as physical, chemical and biomedical sensors in a variety of application settings. Topics covered include organic semiconductors for chemical and physical sensing; conducting polymers in sensor applications; chemically functionalized organic semiconductors for highly selective sensing; composite organic-inorganic sensors; artificial skin applications; organic thin film transistor strain gauges for biomedical applications; OTFT infrared sensors for touchless human-machine interaction; smart fabric sensors and e-textile technologie; image capture with organic sensors; organic gas sensors and electronic noses; electrolyte gated organic transistors for bio-chemical sensing; ion-selective organic electrochemical transistors; DNA biosensors; metabolic organic sensors; and conductive polymer based sensors for biomedical applications.

Developments in bio-inspired computation have impacted multiple fields and created opportunities for new applications. In recent years, these techniques have been increasingly integrated into robotic systems. Membrane Computing for Distributed Control of Robotic Swarms: Emerging Research and Opportunities is an innovative reference source for the latest perspectives on biologically-inspired computation techniques for robot design and control. Highlighting a range of pivotal topics such as software engineering, simulation tools, and robotic security, this book is ideally designed for researchers, academics, students, and practitioners interested in the role of membrane computing in mobile robots.

Mankind's dependence on artificial intelligence and robotics is increasing rapidly as technology becomes more advanced. Finding a way to seamlessly intertwine these two worlds will help boost productivity in society and aid in a variety of ways in modern civilization. Androids, Cyborgs, and Robots in Contemporary Culture and Society is an essential scholarly resource that delves into the current issues, methodologies, and trends relating to advanced robotic technology in the modern world. Featuring relevant topics that include STEM technologies, brain-controlled androids, biped robots, and media perception, this publication is ideal for engineers, academicians, students, and researchers that would like to stay current with the latest developments in the world of evolving robotics.

Metrology is part of the essential but largely hidden infrastructure of the modern world. This book concentrates on the infrastructure aspects of metrology. It introduces the underlying concepts: International system of units, traceability and uncertainty; and describes the concepts that are implemented to assure the comparability, reliability and quantifiable trust of measurement results. It is shown what benefits the traditional metrological principles have in fields as medicine or in the evaluation of cyber physical systems.

"Advances in Intelligent Vehicles" presents recent advances in intelligent vehicle technologies that enhance the safety, reliability, and performance of vehicles and vehicular networks and systems. This book provides readers with up-to-date research results and cutting-edge technologies in the area of intelligent vehicles and transportation systems. Topics covered include virtual and staged testing scenarios, collision avoidance, human factors, and modeling techniques.

The Series in Intelligent Systems publishes titles that cover state-of-the-art knowledge and the latest advances in research and development in intelligent systems. Its scope includes theoretical studies, design methods, and real-world implementations and applications.
Provides researchers and engineers with up-to-date research results and state-of-the art technologies in the area of intelligent vehicles and transportation systems Covers hot topics, including driver assistance systems; cooperative vehicle-highway systems; collision avoidance; pedestrian protection; image, radar and lidar signal processing; and V2V and V2I communications

The design of control systems is at the very core of engineering. Feedback controls are ubiquitous, ranging from simple room thermostats to airplane engine control. Helping to make sense of this wide-ranging field, this book provides a new approach by keeping a tight focus on the essentials with a limited, yet consistent set of examples. Analysis and design methods are explained in terms of theory and practice. The book covers classical, linear feedback controls, and linear approximations are used when needed. In parallel, the book covers time-discrete (digital) control systems and juxtaposes time-continuous and time-discrete treatment when needed. One chapter covers the industry-standard PID control, and one chapter provides several design examples with proposed solutions to commonly encountered design problems.

The book is ideal for upper level students in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, biological/biomedical engineering, chemical engineering and agricultural and environmental engineering and provides a helpful refresher or introduction for graduate students and professionals
Focuses on the essentials of control fundamentals, system analysis, mathematical description and modeling, and control design to guide the readerIllustrates the theory and practical application for each point using real-world examplesStrands weave throughout the book, allowing the reader to understand clearly the use and limits of different analysis and design tools