Furthering the aim of reducing human exposure to hazardous environments, this monograph presents a detailed study of the modeling and control of vehicle-manipulator systems. The text shows how complex interactions can be performed at remote locations using systems that combine the manipulability of robotic manipulators with the ability of mobile robots to locomote over large areas. The first part studies the kinematics and dynamics of rigid bodies and standard robotic manipulators and can be used as an introduction to robotics focussing on robust mathematical modeling. The monograph then moves on to study vehicle-manipulator systems in great detail with emphasis on combining two different configuration spaces in a mathematically sound way. Robustness of these systems is extremely important and Modeling and Control of Vehicle-manipulator Systems effectively represents the dynamic equations using a mathematically robust framework. Several tools from Lie theory and differential geometry are used to obtain globally valid representations of the dynamic equations of vehicle-manipulator systems. The specific characteristics of several different types of vehicle-manipulator systems are included and the various application areas of these systems are discussed in detail. For underwater robots buoyancy and gravity, drag forces, added mass properties, and ocean currents are considered. For space robotics the effects of free fall environments and the strong dynamic coupling between the spacecraft and the manipulator are discussed. For wheeled robots wheel kinematics and non-holonomic motion is treated, and finally the inertial forces are included for robots mounted on a forced moving base. Modeling and Control of Vehicle-manipulator Systems will be of interest to researchers and engineers studying and working on many applications of robotics: underwater, space, personal assistance, and mobile manipulation in general, all of which have similarities in the equations required for modeling and control.

This book is about the design and control of biomimetic underwater robots. It explains the six aspects of the underwater biomimetic vehicle- manipulator system in detail and provides practical examples. This book is the authors’ long-term exploration of the theoretical and technical issues in the development of the underwater biomimetic vehicle-manipulator system and is written based on more than 15 years of scientific research and practical experience. This book is a helpful reference for the researchers, engineers, master and Ph.D. students in the field of biomimetic underwater robots.

Currently, the modelling and control of mechatronic and robotic systems is an open and challenging field of investigation in both industry and academia. The book encompasses the kinematic and dynamic modelling, analysis, design, and control of mechatronic and robotic systems, with the scope of improving their performance, as well as simulating and testing novel devices and control architectures. A broad range of disciplines and topics are included, such as robotic manipulation, mobile systems, cable-driven robots, wearable and rehabilitation devices, variable stiffness safety-oriented mechanisms, optimization of robot performance, and energy-saving systems.

The United States faces decisions requiring information about the oceans in vastly expanded scales of time and space and from oceanic sectors not accessible with the suite of tools now used by scientists and engineers. Advances in guidance and control, communications, sensors, and other technologies for undersea vehicles can provide an opportunity to understand the oceans' influence on the energy and chemical balance that sustains humankind and to manage and deliver resources from and beneath the sea. This book assesses the state of undersea vehicle technology and opportunities for vehicle applications in science and industry. It provides guidance about vehicle subsystem development priorities and describes how national research can be focused most effectively.

With the advent of advanced technologies in AI, driverless vehicles have elevated curiosity among various sectors of society. The automotive industry is in a technological boom with autonomous vehicle concepts. Autonomous driving is one of the crucial application areas of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Autonomous vehicles are armed with sensors, radars, and cameras. This made driverless technology possible in many parts of the world. In short, our traditional vehicle driving may swing to driverless technology. Many researchers are trying to come out with novel AI algorithms that are capable of handling driverless technology. The current existing algorithms are not able to support and elevate the concept of autonomous vehicles. This addresses the necessity of novel methods and tools focused to design and develop frameworks for autonomous vehicles. There is a great demand for energy-efficient solutions for managing the data collected with the help of sensors. These operations are exclusively focused on non-traditional programming approaches and depend on machine learning techniques, which are part of AI. There are multiple issues that AI needs to resolve for us to achieve a reliable and safe driverless technology. The purpose of this book is to find effective solutions to make autonomous vehicles a reality, presenting their challenges and endeavors. The major contribution of this book is to provide a bundle of AI solutions for driverless technology that can offer a safe, clean, and more convenient riskless mode of transportation.

Unmanned marine vehicles (UMVs) include autonomous underwater vehicles, remotely operated vehicles, semi-submersibles and unmanned surface craft. Considerable importance is being placed on the design and development of such vehicles, as they provide cost-effective solutions to a number of littoral, coastal and offshore problems. This book highlights the advanced technology that is evolving to meet the challenges being posed in this exciting and growing area of research.