Mechatronic Components: Roadmap to Design explains the practical application of mechatronics, including sections on adaptive structures, robotics and other areas where mechanics and electronics converge. Professional engineers in a variety of areas will find this textbook to be extremely helpful with its in-depth use of flow diagrams and schemes that help readers understand the logic behind the design of such systems. Using approximately 130 different components with diagrams and flowcharts that help engineers from different fields understand the general properties and selection criteria of a component, this book presents a comprehensive resource on mechatronic components.

For several decades now, mobile robots have been integral to the development of new robotic systems for new applications, even in non-technical areas. Mobile robots have already been developed for such uses as industrial automation, medical care, space exploration, demining operations, surveillance, entertainment, museum guides and many other industrial and non-industrial applications. In some cases these products are readily available on the market. A considerable amount of literature is also available; not all of which pertains to technical issues, as listed in the chapters of this book and its companion. Readers will enjoy this book and its companion and will utilize the knowledge gained with satisfaction and will be assisted by its content in their interdisciplinary work for engineering developments of mobile robots, in both old and new applications. This book and its companion can be used as a graduate level course book or a guide book for the practicing engineer who is working on a specific problem described in one of the chapters. The companion volume for this book, Designs and Prototypes of Mobile Robots, is available separately.

For several decades now, mobile robots have been integral to the development of new dynamic robotic systems for a wide range of new applications, even for non-industrial uses. For example, mobile robots have already been developed for such uses as industrial automation, medical care, space exploration, mining operations, surveillance, entertainment, museum guides, and many other applications. In some cases, these products are readily available on the market, while others are still evolving with new robotics research and development. And while a considerable body of literature currently exists on robotics in general, not all of it pertains to technical issues involved with the interface between mobile robots and their surrounding environments. In particular, this book will focus on how mobile robots can be used in many kinds of environments---especially challenging and harsh environments on land, in the air, and underwater--to perform any number of tasks that require locomotion, sensing and specific tasks. Especially critical will be the use of robots in remote locations with the need for reliable and successful operation without the supervision of human operators. Suggestions for further reading and research will also be offered.

For several decades now, mobile robots have been integral to the development of new robotic systems for new applications, even in non-technical areas. Mobile robots have already been developed for such uses as industrial automation, medical care, space exploration, demining operations, surveillance, entertainment, museum guides and many other industrial and non-industrial applications. In some cases these products are readily available on the market. A considerable amount of literature is also available; not all of which pertains to technical issues, as listed in the chapters of this book and its companion. Readers will enjoy this book and its companion and will utilize the knowledge gained with satisfaction and will be assisted by its content in their interdisciplinary work for engineering developments of mobile robots, in both old and new applications. This book and its companion can be used as a graduate level course book or a guide book for the practicing engineer who is working on a specific problem described in one of the chapters. The companion volume for this book, Mobile Robots for Dynamic Environments, is available separately.