Guest Editors
Dr. Achyut Shankar (LGE), University of Warwick, United Kingdom
Dr. Zahid Akhtar, State University of New York Polytechnic Institute, USA
Summary
The world is rapidly progressing with the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) and the internet of things (IoT) which opened innumerable opportunities for challenging feats and a hallmark among them is mechatronics. Mechatronic enables robots capable of manipulating their combustion engine with self-adaptive mechanical tools which are functionally advanced than previous types. Mechatronics approaches can efficiently impersonate the function of the human body by a combination of electronic and mechanical parts. Innovations in sensor technology resulting in the construction of a new type of sensor (micro-electrodes) capable of harvesting the signals from neurons and transmitting the information to a computer/mechanical device had a transforming effect in the application of mechatronics in industrial sectors. Their sophisticated function aids in making supporting machines that can enhance/replace the functions of the human body and thus serve as an ideal choice for enhancing the physical interaction between humans and robots. Micro-electrodes fitted to a robotic limb (called iLimb), can pick signals from the neurons present near the chest and help in the functioning of the limbs on the command of the wearer. Moreover, robotic arms with wearable sensors are a remarkably useful industrial sector in assembling/lifting heavy particles which were unable to perform by human arms. The construction of a human exoskeleton not only mitigates the disabilities of a disabled person but is greatly helpful in performing functions that are several feats ahead of human performance (for industrial and military applications). Also, preliminary advances in wearable sensors are proven to be more advantages in navigation & performing actions (proved in gaming technology) which can be superimposed to mind-controlling of robots on substantial improvements. Moreover, pilot-scale experiments in implantable sensors enable the placing of biocompatible sensors in human brains and have proven excellent in transmitting human emotions and thoughts. Doubtlessly innovations in bio-mechatronics have far-reaching implications in improving physical interaction between humans and robots and aids in co-manipulation.
Although recent innovations in mechatronics had been successfully implicated in enhancing the interaction between humans and robots, they seemed to be very preliminary and complicated problems that needed to be addressed. Primarily applying mechatronics to greater and complex interactions needs enhanced electronic and mechanical components which are very preliminary. The critical design and dense packaging of electronics and mechanical parts pose a severe hindrance in heat transfer which needs to be addressed. Integration of non-biological parts (mechanical and electronic parts) to a human system in many cases ends up an infection which leads to pain and severe discomfort. Imitating biological structures and their functional abilities is challenging which needs significant improvements. Integration of wireless transmission technology capable of feedback-controlled systems would be more beneficial in improving the performance of mechatronics in human-robot interaction and manipulation. Therefore this special issue aims to discuss and highlight state-of-the-art frontiers in actuators, circuit design, sensor networks, soft robotics, flexible sensors, interacting circuits, wireless power transfer, wearable/Implantable electronics, robotic prosthetics, and exoskeleton related to bio-mechatronics. We invite researchers from various sectors to submit their research papers, reviews, and perspectives in the emerging field of mechatronics approaches for physical human-robot interaction and co-manipulation.
Keywords
Research in development of innovative mechatronic tools for enhancing physical human robot interactions
Trends in auction and measurement of mechatronics for task and trajectory planning
Emerging advances in parameters identification and signal estimation for mind controlled robotics
Trends in Complex mechanical-electro-liquid System for smart robotics
Innovations in Sensor integration, fusion, and perception for Bio-inspired robotics
Innovations in signal processing of biomedical engineering for real-time systems
Trends in advanced manufacturing of soft robotics for advanced motion control
Trends in robotics, mobile platforms and biosensors for human directed industrial applications
Trends in micro-mechatronics for developments of microelectrodes with versatile applications in bio-mechatronics
Innovations in enhancing Human-Machine Interface by incorporation of biocompatible devices
Emerging advances in design, Modeling and Simulation of human functions for enhancing the function of robots
Advances in Motion Control and feedback regulation in enhancing robotic manipulation
Equipping to face upcoming challenging in enhances human robot interaction
Published Papers
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