Fundamentals of Robotics: Linking Perception to Action (Machine Perception and Artificial Intelligence, 54)

Tomorrow's robots, which includes the humanoid robot, can perform tasks like tutoring children, working as tour guides, driving humans to and from work, and doing the family shopping. Tomorrow's robots should enhance lives in ways we never dreamed possible, and are set to be the most exciting and revolutionary things to happen to the world since the invention of the automobile. It will change the way we work, play, think and live. Because of this, nowadays robotics is one of the most dynamic fields of scientific research. These days, robotics is offered in almost every university in the world. Most mechanical engineering departments offer a similar course at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. And increasingly, many computer and electrical engineering departments are also offering it. This handbook is designed to guide the curious beginner from yesterday to tomorrow. It covers practical knowledge in understanding, developing and using robots as versatile equipment to automate a variety of industrial processes or tasks. It also discusses the possibilities we can look forward to when we are capable of creating a vision-guided, learning machine.