CONTENTS -- 1. Introduction -- 2. Robotic Vehicles -- 2.1 Introduction -- 2.1.1 What are robotic vehicles? -- 2.1.2 Why are robotic vehicles important? -- 2.1.3 How do robotic vehicles work? What are the key technologies for mobility? -- 2.2 Research Challenges -- 2.2.1 Mechanisms and mobility -- 2.2.2 Power and propulsion -- 2.2.3 Computation and control -- 2.2.4 Sensors and navigation -- 2.3 International Survey -- 2.3.1 Research on robotic vehicles - the United States -- 2.3.1.1 Military and defense systems -- 2.3.1.2 Space robotic vehicles -- 2.3.1.3 Field robotics -- 2.3.1.4 Undersea robotics -- 2.3.1.5 Search-and-rescue robotics -- 2.3.2 Research on robotic vehicles - Japan and South Korea -- 2.3.2.1 Personal and service robotic vehicles -- 2.3.2.2 Biomimetic mobility -- 2.3.2.3 Undersea robotics -- 2.3.3 Research on robotic vehicles - Europe -- 2.3.3.1 Navigation and architectures -- 2.3.3.2 Transportation systems -- 2.3.3.3 Personal and service robotics -- 2.3.3.4 Undersea robotics -- 2.4 Comparative Review of Programs -- 2.5 Further Readings -- 3. Space Robotics -- 3.1 What is Space Robotics? -- 3.2 Issues in Space Robotics -- 3.2.1 How are Space Robots created and used? What technology for space robotics needs to be developed? -- 3.3 International E.orts in Space Robotics -- 3.4 The State of the Art in Space Robotics -- References -- 4. Humanoids -- 4.1 Background -- 4.2 Definitions of the Humanoid System. -- 4.2.1 Form and function -- 4.2.2 How are humanoids built? -- 4.3 Current Challenges in Humanoids -- 4.3.1 Design, packaging, and power -- 4.3.2 Bipedal walking -- 4.3.3 Wheeled lower bodies -- 4.3.4 Dexterous limbs -- 4.3.5 Mobile manipulation -- 4.3.6 Human-robot interaction -- 4.4 Key Technologies -- 4.5 Fundamental Research Challenges -- 4.6 Regions Visited by the Assessment Team.

4.7 Observations, Applications, and Conclusions -- 4.7.1 Quantitative observations -- 4.7.2 Qualitative observations -- 4.7.3 Applications -- 4.8 Conclusions -- References -- 5. Industrial, Personal, and Service Robots -- 5.1 Introduction -- 5.2 Market Analysis and Trends -- 5.3 State of the Art in Theory and Practice -- 5.4 International Assessment -- 5.4.1 United States -- 5.4.2 Europe -- 5.4.3 Japan and Korea -- 5.4.4 Australia -- 5.5 International Comparisons -- 5.5.1 Relative strengths -- 5.5.2 Qualitative observations -- 5.6 Future Challenges -- References -- 6. Robotics for Biological and Medical Applications -- 6.1 Background -- 6.2 Why Robots and Automation in Biology and Medicine -- 6.2.1 Biological applications -- 6.2.2 Medical applications -- 6.2.3 Robotic tools, devices, and systems -- 6.2.4 Key technologies -- 6.2.5 Fundamental research challenges -- 6.3 Regions Visited by the Assessment Team -- 6.3.1 United States -- 6.3.2 Japan and Korea -- 6.3.3 Europe -- 6.4 Quantitative and Qualitative Observations -- 6.4.1 Quantitative observations -- 6.4.2 Qualitative observations -- 6.5 Conclusions -- References -- 7. Networked Robots -- 7.1 Introduction -- 7.2 Significance and Potential -- 7.3 State of the Art in Theory and Practice -- 7.4 Scientific and Technical Challenges -- 7.5 International Comparisons -- 7.6 Future Challenges -- References -- Authors' Biographies -- Index.