Knowledge Representations For Planning Manipulation Tasks

In this book, the capability map, a novel general representation of the kinematic capabilities of a robot arm, is introduced. The capability map allows to determine how well regions of the workspace are reachable for the end effector in different orientations. It is a representation that can be machine processed as well as intuitively visualized for the human. The capability map and the derived algorithms are a valuable source of information for high- and low-level planning processes. The versatile applicability of the capability map is shown by examples from several distinct application domains. In human-robot interaction, a bi-manual interface for tele-operation is objectively evaluated. In low-level geometric planning, more human-like motion is planned for a humanoid robot while also reducing the computation time. And in high-level task reasoning, the suitability of a robot for a task is evaluated.

This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Cognitive Systems and Information Processing, ICCSIP 2022, held in Fuzhou, China, during November 18–20, 2022. The 47 papers included in this book were carefully reviewed and selected from 121 submissions. They were organized in the following topical sections as follows: Award; Algorithm; Application; Manipulation & Control; Hardware and Vision.

In order to achieve human-like performance, this book covers the four steps of reasoning a robot must provide in the concept of intelligent physical compliance: to represent, plan, execute, and interpret compliant manipulation tasks. A classification of manipulation tasks is conducted to identify the central research questions of the addressed topic. It is investigated how symbolic task descriptions can be translated into meaningful robot commands.Among others, the developed concept is applied in an actual space robotics mission, in which an astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS) commands the humanoid robot Rollin' Justin to maintain a Martian solar panel farm in a mock-up environment

The 9-volume set LNAI 14267-14275 constitutes the proceedings of the 16th International Conference on Intelligent Robotics and Applications, ICIRA 2023, which took place in Hangzhou, China, during July 5–7, 2023. The 413 papers included in these proceedings were carefully reviewed and selected from 630 submissions. They were organized in topical sections as follows: Part I: Human-Centric Technologies for Seamless Human-Robot Collaboration; Multimodal Collaborative Perception and Fusion; Intelligent Robot Perception in Unknown Environments; Vision-Based Human Robot Interaction and Application. Part II: Vision-Based Human Robot Interaction and Application; Reliable AI on Machine Human Reactions; Wearable Sensors and Robots; Wearable Robots for Assistance, Augmentation and Rehabilitation of Human Movements; Perception and Manipulation of Dexterous Hand for Humanoid Robot. Part III: Perception and Manipulation of Dexterous Hand for Humanoid Robot; Medical Imaging for Biomedical Robotics; Advanced Underwater Robot Technologies; Innovative Design and Performance Evaluation of Robot Mechanisms; Evaluation of Wearable Robots for Assistance and Rehabilitation; 3D Printing Soft Robots. Part IV: 3D Printing Soft Robots; Dielectric Elastomer Actuators for Soft Robotics; Human-like Locomotion and Manipulation; Pattern Recognition and Machine Learning for Smart Robots. Part V: Pattern Recognition and Machine Learning for Smart Robots; Robotic Tactile Sensation, Perception, and Applications; Advanced Sensing and Control Technology for Human-Robot Interaction; Knowledge-Based Robot Decision-Making and Manipulation; Design and Control of Legged Robots. Part VI: Design and Control of Legged Robots; Robots in Tunnelling and Underground Space; Robotic Machining of Complex Components; Clinically Oriented Design in Robotic Surgery and Rehabilitation; Visual and Visual-Tactile Perception for Robotics. Part VII: Visual and Visual-Tactile Perception for Robotics; Perception, Interaction, and Control of Wearable Robots; Marine Robotics and Applications; Multi-Robot Systems for Real World Applications; Physical and Neurological Human-Robot Interaction. Part VIII: Physical and Neurological Human-Robot Interaction; Advanced Motion Control Technologies for Mobile Robots; Intelligent Inspection Robotics; Robotics in Sustainable Manufacturing for Carbon Neutrality; Innovative Design and Performance Evaluation of Robot Mechanisms. Part IX: Innovative Design and Performance Evaluation of Robot Mechanisms; Cutting-Edge Research in Robotics.

In the evolving environment of education, academic scholars face the daunting challenge of navigating a multitude of pedagogical approaches and technologies. The design of effective learning activities demands a nuanced understanding of didactic innovation, instructional design, and the integration of technology. As educators strive to meet the diverse needs of learners, the demand for innovative solutions to enhance teaching methodologies becomes more pressing than ever. Technological Tools for Innovative Teaching emerges as a comprehensive solution to the challenges educators encounter in the modern academic arena. The book unravels the intricacies of pedagogical scenarios, providing a step-by-step guide to designing learning activities that align with educational objectives. By addressing topics such as the pedagogy of error, flipped classroom strategies, and tech pedagogy, the book equips scholars with a diverse toolkit to revolutionize their teaching methods.

This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the Workshops held at the ICWL 2013 International Conference on Web Based Learning in Kenting, Taiwan, in October 2013. The 29 papers presented were carefully reviewed and selected for inclusion in this volume. They were held at the following workshops: First International Workshop on Ubiquitous Social Learning, USL 2013; 2013 International Workshop on Smart Living and Learning, IWSLL 2013; Third International Symposium on Knowledge Management and e-Learning, KMEL 2013; 2013 International Workshop on Cloud Computing for Web-Based Learning, IWCL 2013; 2013 International Workshop on Web Intelligence and Learning; WIL 2013; and the 2013 International Workshop on e-book and Education Cloud, IWEEC 2013.

This work presents the most recent research in the mechanism and machine science field and its applications. The topics covered include: theoretical kinematics, computational kinematics, mechanism design, experimental mechanics, mechanics of robots, dynamics of machinery, dynamics of multi-body systems, control issues of mechanical systems, mechanisms for biomechanics, novel designs, mechanical transmissions, linkages and manipulators, micro-mechanisms, teaching methods, history of mechanism science and industrial and non-industrial applications. This volume consists of the Proceedings of the 5th European Conference on Mechanisms Science (EUCOMES) that was held in Guimarães, Portugal, from September 16 – 20, 2014. The EUCOMES is the main forum for the European community working in Mechanisms and Machine Science.

The second edition of this handbook provides a state-of-the-art overview on the various aspects in the rapidly developing field of robotics. Reaching for the human frontier, robotics is vigorously engaged in the growing challenges of new emerging domains. Interacting, exploring, and working with humans, the new generation of robots will increasingly touch people and their lives. The credible prospect of practical robots among humans is the result of the scientific endeavour of a half a century of robotic developments that established robotics as a modern scientific discipline. The ongoing vibrant expansion and strong growth of the field during the last decade has fueled this second edition of the Springer Handbook of Robotics. The first edition of the handbook soon became a landmark in robotics publishing and won the American Association of Publishers PROSE Award for Excellence in Physical Sciences & Mathematics as well as the organization’s Award for Engineering & Technology. The second edition of the handbook, edited by two internationally renowned scientists with the support of an outstanding team of seven part editors and more than 200 authors, continues to be an authoritative reference for robotics researchers, newcomers to the field, and scholars from related disciplines. The contents have been restructured to achieve four main objectives: the enlargement of foundational topics for robotics, the enlightenment of design of various types of robotic systems, the extension of the treatment on robots moving in the environment, and the enrichment of advanced robotics applications. Further to an extensive update, fifteen new chapters have been introduced on emerging topics, and a new generation of authors have joined the handbook’s team. A novel addition to the second edition is a comprehensive collection of multimedia references to more than 700 videos, which bring valuable insight into the contents. The videos can be viewed directly augmented into the text with a smartphone or tablet using a unique and specially designed app. Springer Handbook of Robotics Multimedia Extension Portal: http://handbookofrobotics.org/