Robotica

Special issue on “Intelligence in robotics”

    Intelligence in robotics is an extension of automation, which makes the robot smarter, thus assisting human beings in a more efficient way. In real world environment, intelligence in robotics mainly involves its action or body motion, including structural intelligence, manipulation intelligence, mobility intelligence, and human-robot interaction intelligence. For example, the robot could change its configuration with structural intelligence; the robot could learn new skills during manipulation with manipulation intelligence; the robot could move autonomously with mobility intelligence; and the robot could interact with people intuitively according to human intention with human-robot interaction intelligence. The foundation of robot intelligence is computing, and the core is learning, which make robots imitate human beings. For example, perception of robot imitates human sensing the environment, decision making of robot imitate human handling tasks under various circumstances, and skill transfer of robot imitates human learning and creating.

This special issue in Robotica is intended to expedite publication of novel and significant research results, technology and/or conceptual breakthrough of emerging topics of intelligence in robotics. We invite submission of high-quality papers as related to recent advances in such emerging topics, including but are not limited to the following:

• Novel design of metamorphic structure and application in robot
• Bio-inspired sensing and actuation
• Human-robot manipulation skill learning
• Simultaneous Localization and Mapping
• Autonomous manipulation robot
• Wearable robotics and bio-mechatronics systems
• Human-in-the-loop control of robot
• Human-robot interaction
• Robot reinforcement learning
• Neurorobotics
• robotic intelligence inspired by human behavior intelligence

Submission guidelines

Submission link: https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/cup/robotica

For more information: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/robotica/announcements/call-for-papers/special-issue-intelligence-in-robotics

Important Dates

Deadline for first submission: May. 31, 2023

Guest Editors

Prof. Hong Qiao, hong.qiao@ia.ac.cn, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Prof. Zhijun Li, zjli@ieee.org, University of Science and Technology of China

Prof. Haisheng Xia, hsxia@ustc.edu.cn, University of Science and Technology of China

Prof. Guang Chen, guangchen@tongji.edu.cn, Tongji University

Prof. Jian S Dai, jian.dai@kcl.ac.uk, King’s College London

Machines

Special issue “Applications and Challenges of Intelligent Robotic Technology in Industrial Automation”

With the continuous improvement of industrial automation, more and more companies are using intelligent robotic technology to improve their production efficiency and quality. Intelligent robotic technology can not only complete simple repetitive tasks, but can also handle more complex tasks with higher accuracy and reliability. However, in practical applications, intelligent robotic technology faces many challenges such as environmental perception, path planning, and cooperative control. Therefore, studying the applications and challenges of intelligent robotic technology in industrial automation is of great significance.

This Special Issue invites scholars, engineers, and researchers to share their latest research on the application of intelligent robotic technology in industrial automation. Research topics that are of interest for this Special Issue include, but are not limited to:

• The design and development of intelligent robotic systems;
• Machine vision, sensors, and control technology;
• Robot path planning and motion control;
• Robot collaboration and coordination control;
• Applications of intelligent manufacturing and IoT technology.

Submission guidelines

Submission link: https://susy.mdpi.com/user/manuscripts/upload?journal=machines

For more information: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/machines/special_issues/0XGU7XZS0T

Important Dates

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2023

Guest Editors

Prof. Pengwen Xiong, steven.xpw@ncu.edu.cn, Nanchang University

Prof. Zhijun Li, zjli@ieee.org, University of Science and Technology of China

Actuators

Special issue “Design and Control of Actuators for Active Human-Machine Interaction“

The aging of the population is currently a global challenge, and impaired upper/lower-limb motion is a prevalent feature in the elderly. In addition, some occupations, such as firemen and relief workers, require extra physical assistance in order to perform tasks efficiently. Wearable robots can support ambulatory functions in the elderly and augment human performance in healthy people during lifting or walking by providing assistive torques. The design and control of actuators is crucial in order to enhance the human–machine interaction performance. Recent advances in the design and control of quasi-direct drive actuators, nonlinear stiffness series elastic actuators and artificial muscles have demonstrated great potential regarding their ability to enhance the interaction performance of wearable robots.

This Special Issue aims to collect and present the latest results and novel methodologies proposed in the design and control of actuators, as well as applications and experiments related to wearable robots, such as upper-limb exoskeletons, hand exoskeletons, lower-limb exoskeletons, powered orthosis, powered prosthesis, etc. In addition, this Special Issue aims to share achievements regarding the application of actuators to specific scenarios that concern human–machine interaction, such as motor-driven fitness equipment, teleoperations with force feedback, virtual reality with physical interaction, etc. We encourage researchers and practitioners in this field to submit manuscripts related to, but not limited to, the following topics:

• Position/Force control for rigid/soft exoskeletons;
• Novel series elastic actuator (SEA), parallel elastic actuator (PEA), and hybrid elastic actuator (HEA);
• Quasi-direct drive (QDD) actuators;
• Actuators with variable impedance;
• Actuators with adjustable physical compliance;
• Artificial muscles designed for wearable robots;
• Actuation modules with energy harvest;
• Design and control of actuators applied in new scenarios.

Submission guidelines

Submission link: https://susy.mdpi.com/user/manuscripts/upload?journal=actuators

For more information: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/actuators/special_issues/X2M123JK4B

Important Dates

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2023

Guest Editors

Prof. Qing Guo, guoqinguestc@uestc.edu.cn, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China

Prof. Wei Yang, impleway@zju.edu.cn, Zhejiang University

Applied Sciences

Special issue “Advanced Robotics and Mechatronics”

This Special Issue is dedicated to the 8th International Conference on Advanced Robotics & Mechatronics (ICARM 2023) (http://www.ieee-arm.org/). Authors of outstanding papers related to “Advanced Robotics and Mechatronics”, including mechatronics, robotics, automation, and sensors, will be invited to submit extended versions of their work to the Special Issue for publication.

Submission guidelines

Submission link: https://susy.mdpi.com/user/manuscripts/upload/122736640438eb91ec0d5c37a95746d7?form%5Bjournal_id%5D=90

For more information: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/applsci/special_issues/R68755422W

Important Dates

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 December 2023

Guest Editors

Dr. Jing Luo, ljing_ac@whut.edu.cn, Wuhan University of Technology

Prof. Zhijun Li, zjli@ieee.org, University of Science and Technology of China