This second volume is a continuation of the successful first volume of this Springer book, and as well as addressing broader topics it puts a particular focus on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with Robot Operating System (ROS). Consisting of three types of chapters: tutorials, cases studies, and research papers, it provides comprehensive additional material on ROS and the aspects of developing robotics systems, algorithms, frameworks, and applications with ROS. ROS is being increasingly integrated in almost all kinds of robots and is becoming the de-facto standard for developing applications and systems for robotics. Although the research community is actively developing applications with ROS and extending its features, amount of literature references is not representative of the huge amount of work being done. The book includes 19 chapters organized into six parts: Part 1 presents the control of UAVs with ROS, while in Part 2, three chapters deal with control of mobile robots. Part 3 provides recent work toward integrating ROS with Internet, cloud and distributed systems. Part 4 offers five case studies of service robots and field experiments. Part 5 presents signal-processing tools for perception and sensing, and lastly, Part 6 introduces advanced simulation frameworks. The diversity of topics in the book makes it a unique and valuable reference resource for ROS users, researchers, learners and developers.

This book consolidates the current state of knowledge on implementing cooperating robot-based systems to increase the flexibility of manufacturing systems. It is based on the concrete experiences of experts, practitioners, and engineers in implementing cooperating robot systems for more flexible manufacturing systems. Thanks to the great variety of manufacturing systems that we had the opportunity to study, a remarkable collection of methods and tools has emerged. The aim of the book is to share this experience with academia and industry practitioners seeking to improve manufacturing practice. While there are various books on teaching principles for robotics, this book offers a unique opportunity to dive into the practical aspects of implementing complex real-world robotic applications. As it is used in this book, the term "cooperating robots" refers to robots that either cooperate with one another or with people. The book investigates various aspects of cooperation in the context of implementing flexible manufacturing systems. Accordingly, manufacturing systems are the main focus in the discussion on implementing such robotic systems. The book begins with a brief introduction to the concept of manufacturing systems, followed by a discussion of flexibility. Aspects of designing such systems, e.g. material flow, logistics, processing times, shop floor footprint, and design of flexible handling systems, are subsequently covered. In closing, the book addresses key issues in operating such systems, which concern e.g. decision-making, autonomy, cooperation, communication, task scheduling, motion generation, and distribution of control between different devices. Reviewing the state of the art and presenting the latest innovations, the book offers a valuable asset for a broad readership.

This book is of interest to researchers wanting to know more about the latest topics and methods in the fields of the kinematics, control and design of robotic systems. The papers cover the full range of robotic systems, including serial, parallel and cable-driven manipulators. The systems range from being less than fully mobile, to kinematically redundant, to over-constrained. The book brings together 43 peer-reviewed papers. They report on the latest scientific and applied achievements. The main theme that connects them is the movement of robots in the most diverse areas of application.

The scientific and technological innovations that will take place over the next decade will transform our society in profound ways. Sex robots, or robots made for sex, are already becoming a reality as a substitute for human beings in bed: although current prototypes are relatively simple and crude, future technological capabilities will render sex robots capable of interacting with humans in more human-like ways. They will be able to recognize their partner, understand their state of mind, and learn their tastes and preferences. Professor Maurizio Balistreri introduces us to the fascinating world of sex of the future by addressing all the ethical issues that the large-scale commercialization of sex robots will raise without taboos and judgements. What will become of love if all our sexual relationships are conducted with machines? What will happen to the world of paid sex and pornography? Will sex robots increase or decrease sexual violence? In addition to confronting the international debate on the moral acceptability of sex robots, this book examines the most recent studies on violent video games and pornography, questioning the widespread belief that playing violent games or witnessing violent representations corrupts people and makes them violent. Not only could sex robots be an essential tool for expressing and exploring our most forbidden sexual fantasies, but they could also be used to treat sex offenders and paedophiles. Sex Robots is a book that questions our prejudices towards sex robots with clarity and simplicity, helping us reason and reflect on a future that is already present, in the awareness that robots will change the world and our lives.

The robot population is rising on Earth and other planets. (Mars is inhabited entirely by robots.) As robots slip into more domains of human life-from the operating room to the bedroom-they take on our morally important tasks and decisions, as well as create new risks from psychological to physical. This makes it all the more urgent to study their ethical, legal, and policy impacts. To help the robotics industry and broader society, we need to not only press ahead on a wide range of issues, but also identify new ones emerging as quickly as the field is evolving. For instance, where military robots had received much attention in the past (and are still controversial today), this volume looks toward autonomous cars here as an important case study that cuts across diverse issues, from liability to psychology to trust and more. And because robotics feeds into and is fed by AI, the Internet of Things, and other cognate fields, robot ethics must also reach into those domains, too. Expanding these discussions also means listening to new voices; robot ethics is no longer the concern of a handful of scholars. Experts from different academic disciplines and geographical areas are now playing vital roles in shaping ethical, legal, and policy discussions worldwide. So, for a more complete study, the editors of this volume look beyond the usual suspects for the latest thinking. Many of the views as represented in this cutting-edge volume are provocative-but also what we need to push forward in unfamiliar territory.

This book gathers papers presented at the International Conference "Educational Robotics in the Maker Era - EDUROBOTICS 2018", held in Rome, Italy, on October 11, 2018. The respective chapters explore the connection between the Maker Movement on the one hand, and Educational Robotics, which mainly revolves around the constructivist and constructionist pedagogy, on the other. They cover a broad range of topics relevant for teacher education and for designing activities for children and youth, with an emphasis on using modern low-cost technologies (including block-based programming environments, Do-It-Yourself electronics, 3D printed artifacts, intelligent distributed systems, IoT technology and gamification) in formal and informal education settings. The twenty contributions collected here will introduce researchers and practitioners to the latest advances in educational robotics, with a focus on science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) education. Teachers and educators at all levels will find valuable insights and inspirations into how educational robotics can promote technological interest and 21st century skills - e.g. creativity, critical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving - with a special emphasis on new making technologies.

This book advances research on mobile robot localization in unknown environments by focusing on machine-learning-based natural scene recognition. The respective chapters highlight the latest developments in vision-based machine perception and machine learning research for localization applications, and cover such topics as: image-segmentation-based visual perceptual grouping for the efficient identification of objects composing unknown environments; classification-based rapid object recognition for the semantic analysis of natural scenes in unknown environments; the present understanding of the Prefrontal Cortex working memory mechanism and its biological processes for human-like localization; and the application of this present understanding to improve mobile robot localization. The book also features a perspective on bridging the gap between feature representations and decision-making using reinforcement learning, laying the groundwork for future advances in mobile robot navigation research.

Discovering the secrets of animal movement and what they can teach us Insects walk on water, snakes slither, and fish swim. Animals move with astounding grace, speed, and versatility: how do they do it, and what can we learn from them? How to Walk on Water and Climb up Walls takes readers on a wondrous journey into the world of animal motion. From basement labs at MIT to the rain forests of Panama, David Hu shows how animals have adapted and evolved to traverse their environments, taking advantage of physical laws with results that are startling and ingenious. In turn, the latest discoveries about animal mechanics are inspiring scientists to invent robots and devices that move with similar elegance and efficiency. Integrating biology, engineering, physics, and robotics, How to Walk on Water and Climb up Walls demystifies the remarkable secrets behind animal locomotion.

In this issue of Make: we break down the latest trends in the world of microcontrollers and single board computers with the latest from Arduino, Google, Particle, and more. You'll also learn how FPGAs will change the way you prototype with our skill builder on using these ultra-configurable devices. And don't miss the 2019 edition of the Make: Guide to Boards special pullout -- compare specs for more than 70 boards to find the perfect one for any endeavor! Plus, 23 projects: Build a mesh-networked mob of R/C car swarmbots Add a full-sheet vertical Maslow CNC to even the tightest shop Get nonstop running water at the beach for boats, castles, and water fights Personalize a crafty glass block as a night light or custom gift And more!

The aim of the book is to introduce the state-of-the-art technologies in the field of robotics, mechatronics and automation in agriculture in order to summarize and review the improvements in the methodologies in agricultural robotics. Advances made in the past decades are described, including robotics for agriculture, mechatronics for agriculture, kinematics, dynamics and control analysis of agricultural robotics, and a wide range of topics in the field of robotics, mechatronics and automation for agricultural applications.

This book contributes to the transformative and revolutionary use of small, unmanned vehicle systems for three-dimensional geospatial data acquisition and mapping, which is considered to be a paradigm shift in the science and technology of geomatics. The book presents a systematic and comprehensive approach for the use of small mobile unmanned systems for robotic geomatics research and applications. Emphasis is placed on aerial unmanned mapping systems as aerial data collection provides better perspective and coverage of an area, and offers the ability for targeted coverage.

This book presents the proceedings of SympoSIMM 2019, the 2nd edition of the Symposium on Intelligent Manufacturing and Mechatronics. Focusing on "Strengthening Innovations Towards Industry 4.0", the book presents studies on the details of Industry 4.0's current trends. Divided into five parts covering various areas of manufacturing engineering and mechatronics stream, namely, artificial intelligence, instrumentation and controls, intelligent manufacturing, modelling and simulation, and robotics., the book is a valuable resource for readers wishing to embrace the new era of Industry 4.0.

This two-volume set constitutes the proceedings of the 13th International Conference on Universal Access in Human-Computer Interaction, UAHCI 2019, held as part of the 21st International Conference, HCI International 2019, which took place in Orlando, FL, USA, in July 2019. The total of 1274 papers and 209 posters included in the 35 HCII 2019 proceedings volumes was carefully reviewed and selected from 5029 submissions. UAHCI 2019 includes a total of 95 regular papers; they were organized in topical sections named: universal access theory, methods and tools; novel approaches to accessibility; universal access to learning and education; virtual and augmented reality in universal access; cognitive and learning disabilities; multimodal interaction; and assistive environments.

This book reports on topics at the interface between manufacturing, mechanical and chemical engineering. It gives special emphasis to CAD/CAE systems, information management systems, advanced numerical simulation methods and computational modeling techniques, and their use in product design, industrial process optimization and in the study of the properties of solids, structures, and fluids. Control theory, ICT for engineering education as well as ecological design, and food technologies are also among the topics discussed in the book. Based on the 2nd International Conference on Design, Simulation, Manufacturing: The Innovation Exchange (DSMIE-2019), held on June 11-14, 2019, in Lutsk, Ukraine, the book provides academics and professionals with a timely overview and extensive information on trends and technologies behind current and future developments of Industry 4.0, innovative design and renewable energy generation.

This book discusses the latest advances in manufacturing and process control, with a special emphasis on digital manufacturing and intelligent technologies for manufacturing and industrial processes control. The human aspect of the developed technologies and products, their interaction with the users, as well as sustainability issues, are covered in detail. Development of new products using rapid prototyping systems, remote fabrication, and other advanced techniques, is described in detail, highlighting the state-of-the-art and current challenges. Based on both the AHFE 2019 International Conference on Human Aspects of Advanced Manufacturing, and the AHFE 2019 International Conference on Advanced Production Management and Process Control, held on July 24-28, 2019, in Washington D.C., USA, this book also highlight important strategies for managing enterprise of the future.

Artificial Intelligence in Accounting: Practical Applications was written with a simple goal: to provide accountants with a foundational understanding of AI and its many business and accounting applications. It is meant to serve as a guide for identifying opportunities to implement AI initiatives to increase productivity and profitability. This book will help you answer questions about what AI is and how it is used in the accounting profession today. Offering practical guidance that you can leverage for your organization, this book provides an overview of essential AI concepts and technologies that accountants should know, such as machine learning, deep learning, and natural language processing. It also describes accounting-specific applications of robotic process automation and text mining. Illustrated with case studies and interviews with representatives from global professional services firms, this concise volume makes a significant contribution to examining the intersection of AI and the accounting profession. This innovative book also explores the challenges and ethical considerations of AI. It will be of great interest to accounting practitioners, researchers, educators, and students.

Introduces the basic concepts of robot manipulation----the fundamental kinematic and dynamic analysis of manipulator arms, and the key techniques for trajectory control and compliant motion control. Material is supported with abundant examples adapted from successful industrial practice or advanced research topics. Includes carefully devised conceptual diagrams, discussion of current research topics with references to the latest publications, and end--of--book problem sets. Appendixes. Bibliography.

This book presents the latest advances and research achievements in the fields of autonomous robots and intelligent systems, presented at the IAS-15 conference, held in Baden-Baden, Germany, in June 2018. It brings together contributions from researchers, engineers and practitioners from all over the world on the main trends of robotics: navigation, path planning, robot vision, human detection, and robot design - as well as a wide range of applications. This installment of the conference reflects the rise of machine learning and deep learning in the robotics field, as employed in a variety of applications and systems. All contributions were selected using a rigorous peer-review process to ensure their scientific quality. The series of biennial IAS conferences was started in 1986: since then, it has become an essential venue for the robotics community.

This book introduces innovative and interdisciplinary applications of advanced technologies. Featuring the papers from the 10th DAYS OF BHAAAS (Bosnian-Herzegovinian American Academy of Arts and Sciences) held in Jahorina, Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 21-24, 2018, it discusses a wide variety of engineering and scientific applications of the different techniques. Researchers from academic and industry present their work and ideas, techniques and applications in the field of power systems, mechanical engineering, computer modelling and simulations, civil engineering, robotics and biomedical engineering, information and communication technologies, computer science and applied mathematics.

This book introduces innovative and interdisciplinary applications of advanced technologies. Featuring the papers from the 10th DAYS OF BHAAAS (Bosnian-Herzegovinian American Academy of Arts and Sciences) held in Jahorina, Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 21-24, 2018, it discusses a wide variety of engineering and scientific applications of the different techniques. Researchers from academic and industry present their work and ideas, techniques and applications in the field of power systems, mechanical engineering, computer modelling and simulations, civil engineering, robotics and biomedical engineering, information and communication technologies, computer science and applied mathematics.

The aim of the book is to introduce new developments in Ambient Intelligence from researchers of several countries. The book includes different works in the area of Ubiquitous Computing, e-Health, Ambient Assisted Living, Distributed Computing and Context Aware Computing that have been selected by an international committee. The studies have been presented in the 9th International Symposium on Ambient Intelligence held in Toledo in June 2018.

This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Applications and Techniques in Information Security, ATIS 2018, held in Nanning, China, in November 2018. The 19 full papers were carefully reviewed and selected from 59 submissions. The papers are organized in the following topical sections: information security, information abuse prevention, security implementations, knowledge discovery, and applications.

This two-volume set (CCIS 951 and CCIS 952) constitutes the proceedings of the 13th International Conference on Bio-inspired Computing: Theories and Applications, BIC-TA 2018, held in Beijing, China, in November 2018. The 88 full papers presented in both volumes were selected from 206 submissions. The papers deal with studies abstracting computing ideas such as data structures, operations with data, ways to control operations, computing models from living phenomena or biological systems such as evolution, cells, neural networks, immune systems, swarm intelligence.