Since the late 1960s, there has been a revolution in robots and
industrial automation, from the design of robots with no computing or
sensorycapabilities (first-generation), to the design of robots with
limited computational power and feedback capabilities
(second-generation), and the design of intelligent robots
(third-generation), which possess diverse sensing and decision making
capabilities. The development of the theory of intelligent machines has
been developed in parallel to the advances in robot design. This theory
is the natural outcome of research and development in classical control
(1950s), adaptive and learning control (1960s), self-organizing control
(1970s) and intelligent control systems (1980s).
The theory of intelligent machines involves utilization and integration
of concepts and ideas from the diverse disciplines of science,
engineering and mathematics, and fields like artificial intelligence,
system theory and operations research. The main focus and motivation is
to bridge the gap between diverse disciplines involved and bring under a
common cover several generic methodologies pertaining to what has been
defined as machine intelligence. Intelligent robotic systems are a
specific application of intelligent machines. They are complex computer
controlled robotic systems equipped with a diverse set of visual and non
visual sensors and possess decision making and problem solving
capabilities within their domain of operation. Their modeling and
control is accomplished via analytical and heuristic methodologies and
techniques pertaining to generalized system theory and artificial
intelligence.
Intelligent Robotic Systems: Theory, Design and Applications, presents
and justifies the fundamental concepts and ideas associated with the
modeling and analysis of intelligent robotic systems.
Appropriate for researchers and engineers in the general area of
robotics and automation, Intelligent Robotic Systems is both a solid
reference as well as a text for a graduate level course in intelligent
robotics/machines.