This book presents the outcomes of the 8th International Conference in Methodologies and Intelligent Systems for Technology Enhanced Learning held in Toledo (Spain) hosted by the University of Castilla-La Mancha from 20 th to 22nd June 2018. Further expanding the topics of the previous editions, the conference provided an open forum for discussing intelligent systems for technology enhanced learning (TEL) and their roots in novel learning theories, empirical methodologies for their design or evaluation, stand-alone and web-based solutions and maker spaces, and also fostering entrepreneurship and increasing business startup ideas. It brought together researchers and developers from industry, the education field and the academic world to report on the latest scientific research, technical advances and methodologies.

This book discusses processes and procedures in information/data processing and management. The global market is becoming more and more complex with an increased availability of data and information, and as a result doing business with information is becoming more popular, with a significant impact on modern society immensely. This means that there is a growing need for a common understanding of how to create, access, use and manage business information. As such this book explores different aspects of data and information processing, including information generation, representation, structuring, organization, storage, retrieval, navigation, human factors in information systems, and the use of information. It also analyzes the challenges and opportunities of doing business with information, and presents various perspectives on business information managing.

This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the First Robotic Grasping and Manipulation Challenge, RGMC 2016, held at IROS 2016, Daejeon, South Korea, in October 2016.The 13 revised full papers presented were carefully reviewed and are describing the rules, results, competitor systems and future directions of the inaugural competition. The competition was designed to allow researchers focused on the application of robot systems to compare the performance of hand designs as well as autonomous grasping and manipulation solutions across a common set of tasks. The competition was comprised of three tracks that included hand-in-hand grasping, fully autonomous grasping, and simulation.

Given the near incomprehensible enormity of the universe, it appears almost inevitable that humankind will one day find a planet that appears to be much like the Earth. This discovery will no doubt reignite the lure of interplanetary travel. Will we be up to the task? And, given our limited resources, biological constraints, and the general hostility of space, what shape should we expect such expeditions to take?

In "Robots in Space, " Roger Launius and Howard McCurdy tackle these seemingly fanciful questions with rigorous scholarship and disciplined imagination, jumping comfortably among the worlds of rocketry, engineering, public policy, and science fantasy to expound upon the possibilities and improbabilities involved in trekking across the Milky Way and beyond. They survey the literature--fictional as well as academic studies; outline the progress of space programs in the United States and other nations; and assess the current state of affairs to offer a conclusion startling only to those who haven't spent time with Asimov, Heinlein, and Clarke: to traverse the cosmos, humans must embrace and entwine themselves with advanced robotic technologies.

Their discussion is as entertaining as it is edifying and their assertions are as sound as they are fantastical. Rather than asking us to suspend disbelief, "Robots in Space" demands that we accept facts as they evolve.

This book focuses on emerging issues following the integration of artificial intelligence systems in our daily lives. It focuses on the cognitive, visual, social and analytical aspects of computing and intelligent technologies, highlighting ways to improve technology acceptance, effectiveness, and efficiency. Topics such as responsibility, integration and training are discussed throughout. The book also reports on the latest advances in systems engineering, with a focus on societal challenges and next-generation systems and applications for meeting them. It also discusses applications in smart grids and infrastructures, systems engineering education as well as defense and aerospace. The book is based on both the AHFE 2018 International Conference on Human Factors in Artificial Intelligence and Social Computing, Software and Systems Engineering, The Human Side of Service Engineering and Human Factors in Energy, July 21-25, 2018, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal Studios, Orlando, Florida, USA.

This proceedings volume comprises the latest achievements in research and development in educational robotics presented at the 9th International Conference on Robotics in Education (RiE) held in Qawra, St. Paul's Bay, Malta, during April 18-20, 2018. Researchers and educators will find valuable methodologies and tools for robotics in education that encourage learning in the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) through the design, creation and programming of tangible artifacts for creating personally meaningful objects and addressing real-world societal needs. This also involves the introduction of technologies ranging from robotics platforms to programming environments and languages. Extensive evaluation results are presented that highlight the impact of robotics on the students' interests and competence development. The presented approaches cover the whole educative range from elementary school to the university level in both formal as well as informal settings.

The basic principles guiding sensing, perception and action in bio systems seem to rely on highly organised spatial-temporal dynamics. In fact, all biological senses, (visual, hearing, tactile, etc.) process signals coming from different parts distributed in space and also show a complex time evolution. As an example, mammalian retina performs a parallel representation of the visual world embodied into layers, each of which r- resents a particular detail of the scene. These results clearly state that visual perception starts at the level of the retina, and is not related uniquely to the higher brain centres. Although vision remains the most useful sense guiding usual actions, the other senses, ?rst of all hearing but also touch, become essential particularly in cluttered conditions, where visual percepts are somehow obscured by environment conditions. Ef?cient use of hearing can be learnt from acoustic perception in animals/insects, like crickets, that use this ancient sense more than all the others, to perform a vital function, like mating.

This book includes papers presented at the International Conference "Educational Robotics 2016 (EDUROBOTICS)", Athens, November 25, 2016. The papers build on constructivist and constructionist pedagogy and cover a variety of topics, including teacher education, design of educational robotics activities, didactical models, assessment methods, theater robotics, programming & making electronics with Snap4Arduino, the Duckietown project, robotics driven by tangible programming, Lego Mindstorms combined with App Inventor, the Orbital Education Platform, Anthropomorphic Robots and Human Meaning Makers in Education, and more. It provides researchers interested in educational robotics with the latest advances in the field with a focus on science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) education. At the same time it offers teachers and educators from primary to secondary and tertiary education insights into how educational robotics can trigger the development of technological interest and 21st century skills in STEAM education (creative thinking, team working, problem solving).

This book is a valuable resource to deeply understand the technology used in 3D cameras. In this book, the authors summarize and compare the specifications of the main 3D cameras available in the mass market. The authors present a deep metrological analysis of the main camera based on the three main technologies: Time-of-Flight, Structured-Light and Active Stereoscopy, and provide qualitative results for any user to understand the underlying technology within 3D camera, as well as practical guidance on how to get the most of them for a given application.

This book focuses on computational modeling and simulation research that advances the current state-of-the-art regarding human factors in this area. It reports on cutting-edge simulators such as virtual and augmented reality, on multisensory environments, and on modeling and simulation methods used in various applications, including surgery, military operations, occupational safety, sports training, education, transportation and robotics. Based on the AHFE 2018 International Conference on Human Factors in Simulation and Modeling, held on July 21-25, 2018, in Orlando, Florida, USA, the book serves as a timely reference guide for researchers and practitioners developing new modeling and simulation tools for analyzing or improving human performance. It also offers a unique resource for modelers seeking insights into human factors research and more feasible and reliable computational tools to foster advances in this exciting research field.

This book showcases new theoretical findings and techniques in the field of intelligent systems and control. It presents in-depth studies on a number of major topics, including: Multi-Agent Systems, Complex Networks, Intelligent Robots, Complex System Theory and Swarm Behavior, Event-Triggered Control and Data-Driven Control, Robust and Adaptive Control, Big Data and Brain Science, Process Control, Intelligent Sensor and Detection Technology, Deep learning and Learning Control, Guidance, Navigation and Control of Aerial Vehicles, and so on. Given its scope, the book will benefit all researchers, engineers, and graduate students who want to learn about cutting-edge advances in intelligent systems, intelligent control, and artificial intelligence.

The two-volume set LNAI 10841 and LNAI 10842 constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Soft Computing, ICAISC 2018, held in Zakopane, Poland in June 2018. The 140 revised full papers presented were carefully reviewed and selected from 242 submissions. The papers included in the second volume are organized in the following five parts: computer vision, image and speech analysis; bioinformatics, biometrics, and medical applications; data mining; artificial intelligence in modeling, simulation and control; and various problems of artificial intelligence.

Designed for beginners, undergraduate students, and robotics enthusiasts, Practical Robot Design: Game Playing Robots is a comprehensive guide to the theory, design, and construction of game-playing robots. Drawing on years of robot building and teaching experience, the authors demonstrate the key steps of building a robot from beginning to end, with independent examples for extra modules. Each chapter covers basic theory and key topics, including actuators, sensors, robot vision, and control, with examples and case studies from robotic games. Furthermore, the book discusses the application of AI techniques and provides algorithms, and application examples with MATLAB (R) code. The book includes: Comprehensive coverate on drive motors and drive motor control References to vendor websites as necessary Digital control techniques, with a focus on implementation Techniques for designing and implementing slightly advanced controllers for pole-balancing robots Basic artificial intelligence techniques with examples in MATLAB Discussion of the vision systems, sensor systems, and controlling of robots The result of a summer course for students taking up robotic games as their final-year project, the authors hope that this book will empower readers in terms of the necessary background as well as the understanding of how various engineering fields are amalgamated in robotics.

This book consists of papers presented at Automation 2017, an international conference held in Warsaw from March 15 to 17, 2017. It discusses research findings associated with the concepts behind INDUSTRY 4.0, with a focus on offering a better understanding of and promoting participation in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Each chapter presents a detailed analysis of a specific technical problem, in most cases followed by a numerical analysis, simulation and description of the results of implementing the solution in a real-world context. The theoretical results, practical solutions and guidelines presented are valuable for both researchers working in the area of engineering sciences and practitioners looking for solutions to industrial problems.

This book includes papers from the 5th International Conference on Robot Intelligence Technology and Applications held at KAIST, Daejeon, Korea on December 13-15, 2017. It covers the following areas: artificial intelligence, autonomous robot navigation, intelligent robot system design, intelligent sensing and control, and machine vision. The topics included in this book are deep learning, deep neural networks, image understanding, natural language processing, speech/voice/text recognition, reasoning & inference, sensor integration/fusion/perception, multisensor data fusion, navigation/SLAM/localization, distributed intelligent algorithms and techniques, ubiquitous computing, digital creatures, intelligent agents, computer vision, virtual/augmented reality, surveillance, pattern recognition, gesture recognition, fingerprint recognition, animation and virtual characters, and emerging applications. This book is a valuable resource for robotics scientists, computer scientists, artificial intelligence researchers and professionals in universities, research institutes and laboratories.

This book presents the proceedings of the Thirteenth International Conference on Dependability and Complex Systems (DepCoS-RELCOMEX), which took place in the Brunow Palace in Poland from 2nd to 6th July 2018. The conference has been organized at the Faculty of Electronics, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology since 2006, and it continues the tradition of two other events: RELCOMEX (1977-89) and Microcomputer School (1985-95). The selection of papers in these proceedings illustrates the broad variety of topics that are investigated in dependability analyses of today's complex systems. Dependability came naturally as a contemporary answer to new challenges in the reliability evaluation of these systems. Such systems cannot be considered only as structures (however complex and distributed) built on the basis of technical resources (hardware): their analysis must take into account a unique blend of interacting people (their needs and behaviours), networks (together with mobile properties, cloud-based systems) and a large number of users dispersed geographically and producing an unimaginable number of applications (working online). A growing number of research methods apply the latest advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and computational intelligence (CI). Today's complex systems are really complex and are applied in numerous different fields of contemporary life.

These volumes of "Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing" highlight papers presented at the "Third Iberian Robotics Conference (ROBOT 2017)". Held from 22 to 24 November 2017 in Seville, Spain, the conference is a part of a series of conferences co-organized by SEIDROB (Spanish Society for Research and Development in Robotics) and SPR (Portuguese Society for Robotics). The conference is focused on Robotics scientific and technological activities in the Iberian Peninsula, although open to research and delegates from other countries. Thus, it has more than 500 authors from 21 countries. The volumes present scientific advances but also robotic industrial applications, looking to promote new collaborations between industry and academia.

This book consists of papers presented at Automation 2018, an international conference held in Warsaw from March 21 to 23, 2018. It discusses the radical technological changes occurring due to the INDUSTRY 4.0, with a focus on offering a better understanding of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Each chapter presents a detailed analysis of interdisciplinary knowledge, numerical modeling and simulation as well as the application of cyber-physical systems, where information technology and physical devices create synergic systems leading to unprecedented efficiency. The theoretical results, practical solutions and guidelines presented are valuable for both researchers working in the area of engineering sciences and practitioners looking for solutions to industrial problems.

Soft and Stiffness-controllable Robotics Solutions for Minimally Invasive Surgery presents the results of a research project, funded by European Commission, STIFF-FLOP: STIFFness controllable Flexible and Learn-able manipulator for surgical Operations. In Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS), tools go through narrow openings and manipulate soft organs that can move, deform, or change stiffness. There are limitations on modern laparoscopic and robot-assisted surgical systems due to restricted access through Trocar ports, lack of haptic feedback, and difficulties with rigid robot tools operating inside a confined space filled with organs. Also, many control algorithms suffer from stability problems in the presence of unexpected conditions. Yet biological "manipulators", like the octopus arm can manipulate objects while controlling the stiffness of selected body parts and being inherently compliant when interacting with objects. STIFF-FLOP robot is an innovative soft robotic arm that can squeeze through a standard MIS, reconfigure itself and stiffen by hydrostatic actuation to perform compliant force control tasks while facing unexpected situations. Technical topics discussed in the book include: - Soft actuators - Continuum soft manipulators - Control, kinematics and navigation of continuum manipulators - Optical sensors for force, torque, and curvature - Haptic feedback and human interface for surgical systems - Validation of soft stiffness controllable robots

This book introduces applications of mathematics and fuzzy mathematics in decision science, fuzzy geometric programming and fuzzy optimization as well as operations research and management, based on 44 research papers presented at three successful conferences: (1) The International Conference on Mathematics and Decision Science (ICMDS), September 12-15, 2016, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China (www.icodm2020.com). (2) Academic Conference on 30th Anniversary of Fuzzy Geometric Programming Advanced by Professor Cao Bingyuan and his 40 education years (ACFGPACE), July 30 to August 1, 2016, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China. (3) The third annual meeting of Guangdong Operational Research Society (TAMGORS), October 22-23, 2016, Foshan University, Guangdong, China. The book is a valuable resource for students, graduates, teachers and other professionals in the field of applied mathematics, artificial intelligence and computers, fuzzy systems and dec ision-making, as well as operations research and management.

This proceedings volume highlights the latest achievements in research and development in educational robotics, which were presented at the 8th International Conference on Robotics in Education (RiE 2017) in Sofia, Bulgaria, from April 26 to 28, 2017. The content will appeal to both researchers and educators interested in methodologies for teaching robotics that confront learners with science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) through the design, creation and programming of tangible artifacts, giving them the chance to create personally meaningful objects and address real-world societal needs. This also involves the introduction of technologies ranging from robotics controllers to virtual environments. In addition, the book presents evaluation results regarding the impact of robotics on students' interests and competence development. The approaches discussed cover the whole educational range, from elementary school to the university level, in both formal as well as informal settings.

This book presents the proceedings of the 25th International Conference on Robotics in Alpe-Adria-Danube Region, RAAD 2016 held in Belgrade, Serbia, on June 30th-July 2nd, 2016. In keeping with the tradition of the event, RAAD 2016 covered all the important areas of research and innovation in new robot designs and intelligent robot control, with papers including Intelligent robot motion control; Robot vision and sensory processing; Novel design of robot manipulators and grippers; Robot applications in manufacturing and services; Autonomous systems, humanoid and walking robots; Human-robot interaction and collaboration; Cognitive robots and emotional intelligence; Medical, human-assistive robots and prosthetic design; Robots in construction and arts, and Evolution, education, legal and social issues of robotics. For the first time in RAAD history, the themes cloud robots, legal and ethical issues in robotics as well as robots in arts were included in the technical program. The book is a valuable resource for researchers in fields of robotics, engineers who implement robotic solutions in manufacturing, services and healthcare, and master's and Ph.D. students working on robotics projects.

The book is a compilation of high-quality scientific papers presented at the 3rd International Conference on Computer & Communication Technologies (IC3T 2016). The individual papers address cutting-edge technologies and applications of soft computing, artificial intelligence and communication. In addition, a variety of further topics are discussed, which include data mining, machine intelligence, fuzzy computing, sensor networks, signal and image processing, human-computer interaction, web intelligence, etc. As such, it offers readers a valuable and unique resource.

This book is devoted to the encounter and interaction of agents such as robots with other agents and describes how they cooperate with their previously unknown teammates, forming an Ad Hoc team. It presents a new algorithm, PLASTIC, that allows agents to quickly adapt to new teammates by reusing knowledge learned from previous teammates. PLASTIC is instantiated in both a model-based approach, PLASTIC-Model and a policy-based approach, PLASTIC-Policy. In addition to reusing knowledge learned from previous teammates, PLASTIC also allows users to provide expert-knowledge and can use transfer learning (such as the new Two Stage Transfer algorithm) to quickly create models of new teammates when it has some information about its new teammates. The effectiveness of the algorithm is demonstrated on three domains, ranging from multi-armed bandits to simulated robot soccer games.

In many computer vision applications, objects have to be learned and recognized in images or image sequences. This book presents new probabilistic hierarchical models that allow an efficient representation of multiple objects of different categories, scales, rotations, and views. The idea is to exploit similarities between objects and object parts in order to share calculations and avoid redundant information. Furthermore inference approaches for fast and robust detection are presented. These new approaches combine the idea of compositional and similarity hierarchies and overcome limitations of previous methods. Besides classical object recognition the book shows the use for detection of human poses in a project for gait analysis. The use of activity detection is presented for the design of environments for ageing, to identify activities and behavior patterns in smart homes. In a presented project for parking spot detection using an intelligent vehicle, the proposed approaches are used to hierarchically model the environment of the vehicle for an efficient and robust interpretation of the scene in real-time.