The authors and editors of this Handbook have attempted to fill a serious gap in the professional literature on industrial automation. Much past attention has been directed to the general concepts and philosophy of automation as a way to convince owners and managers of manufacturing facilities that automation is indeed one of the few avenues available to increase productivity and improve competitive position. Seventy-three contributors share their knowledge in this Handbook. Less attention has been given to the "What" and "How" of automation. To the extent feasible and practical within the confines of the pages allowed, this Handbook concentrates on the implementation of automation. Once the "Go" signal has been given by management, concrete details-not broad definitions and philosophical discussions-are required. To be found in this distinctly different book in the field are detailed parameters for designing and specifying equipment, the options available with an evaluation of their relative advantages and limitations, and insights for engineers and production managers on the operation and capabilities of present-generation automation system components, subsystems, and total systems. In a number of instances, the logical extension of current technology into the future is given. A total of 445 diagrams and photos and 57 tables augments detailed discussions. In addition to its use as a ready reference for technical and management personnel, the book has wide potential for training and group discussions at the college and university level and for special education programs as may be provided by consultants or by "in-house" training personnel.

Robotics Sourcebook provides concise, up-to-date definitions of the terms, acronyms, and abbreviations currently used in robotics. It covers industrial robots, smart robots, and military robots, as well as machine vision, laser systems, CAD/CAM/CIM, advanced manufacturing technology, production processes, bar code identification, and factories of the future. It explains how robots work, and it presents key factors in robot implementation, as well as examples of typical applications, from assembly functions and die-casting to foundry, inspection, and forging. It also analyzes the world robotics market and includes forecasts of market trends. Divided into four parts encompassing 12 chapters, this volume begins with an overview of the robotics industry and U.S. industrial performance, along with current international competitors and their markets, including Japan, Western Europe, France, Britain, and West Germany. It proceeds with a discussion of technological developments, research and development, standards, international agreements, definitions of terms, and robotics programs such as those of NASA, the National Science Foundation, U.S. Navy Robotics, and the United Kingdom. Also included is extensive reference material that contains points of contact for additional information and a detailed bibliography, plus photographs, charts, and diagrams. This book should be a useful reference source for engineers or professionals working in the field of industrial robotics.

Rehabilitation Robotics gives an introduction and overview of all areas of rehabilitation robotics, perfect for anyone new to the field. It also summarizes available robot technologies and their application to different pathologies for skilled researchers and clinicians. The editors have been involved in the development and application of robotic devices for neurorehabilitation for more than 15 years. This experience using several commercial devices for robotic rehabilitation has enabled them to develop the know-how and expertise necessary to guide those seeking comprehensive understanding of this topic. Each chapter is written by an expert in the respective field, pulling in perspectives from both engineers and clinicians to present a multi-disciplinary view. The book targets the implementation of efficient robot strategies to facilitate the re-acquisition of motor skills. This technology incorporates the outcomes of behavioral studies on motor learning and its neural correlates into the design, implementation and validation of robot agents that behave as 'optimal' trainers, efficiently exploiting the structure and plasticity of the human sensorimotor systems. In this context, human-robot interaction plays a paramount role, at both the physical and cognitive level, toward achieving a symbiotic interaction where the human body and the robot can benefit from each other's dynamics. - Provides a comprehensive review of recent developments in the area of rehabilitation robotics - Includes information on both therapeutic and assistive robots - Focuses on the state-of-the-art and representative advancements in the design, control, analysis, implementation and validation of rehabilitation robotic systems

Artificial Intelligence for Future Generation Robotics offers a vision for potential future robotics applications for AI technologies. Each chapter includes theory and mathematics to stimulate novel research directions based on the state-of-the-art in AI and smart robotics. Organized by application into ten chapters, this book offers a practical tool for researchers and engineers looking for new avenues and use-cases that combine AI with smart robotics. As we witness exponential growth in automation and the rapid advancement of underpinning technologies, such as ubiquitous computing, sensing, intelligent data processing, mobile computing and context aware applications, this book is an ideal resource for future innovation. - Brings AI and smart robotics into imaginative, technically-informed dialogue - Integrates fundamentals with real-world applications - Presents potential applications for AI in smart robotics by use-case - Gives detailed theory and mathematical calculations for each application - Stimulates new thinking and research in applying AI to robotics