Robotics is a branch of engineering involve in the conception, design, manufacture and operation of robots. The plan or convention which is used for constructing a robot or a robotic system is known as robot design. Robot kinematics refers to the application of geometry in order to study the movement of multi-degree of freedom kinematic chains that make up the framework of robotic systems. It investigates the relationship between the connectivity and dimensions of kinematic chains. Furthermore, it studies the relation between acceleration, location and velocity of each link in the robotic system for planning and controlling movement, and for computing torques and actuator forces. Robot kinematics also includes singularity avoidance, collision avoidance, motion planning, redundancy and kinematic synthesis of robots. Motion planning refers to the process of breaking down a desired movement of the robot into discrete motions that are subject to certain movement constraints, and optimize the required movement. This book unfolds the innovative aspects of robot design, kinematics and motion planning, which will be crucial for the progress of robotics in the future. It will serve as a valuable source of reference for graduate and postgraduate students.
