Handbook of Robotics

Robotics is an interdisciplinary field of science and engineering which is concerned with the design, construction, use and operation of robots and computer systems. These are developed to substitute for humans and act in a way that is useful in any environment that can pose a risk to human safety, such as bomb detection and deactivation. Although robots may differ widely in terms of application and form, they are designed with three basic similarities. Robots have a mechanical form, frame or construction that aids in their function, have electrical power components, and are driven by some level of computer programming. The basic components of a robot comprise of a power source, actuators, sensors, mobile manipulators, and an architecture that supports locomotion. The mechanical structure of a robot has to be handled in a controlled manner for it to perform a task. This requires perception, processing and action. This book outlines the processes and applications of robotics in detail. It strives to provide a fair idea about this discipline and to help develop a better understanding of the latest advances within this field. Researchers and students in robotics will be assisted by this book.