This book presents the latest research findings from leading space robotic researchers around the world, together with contributions from leading space systems industrialists on the practical aspects of research and development in space robotics. The book also considers future challenges and trends to provide a ‘look ahead’ for space robotics. The European Commission set up the “Space Robotic Technologies” Strategic Research Cluster (SRC) in its flagship funding programme Horizon 2020, with the goal of enabling major advances in strategic key points of Space Robotics Technologies, in order to improve European competitiveness. Space robotics have advanced rapidly in recent years, as reflected in recent successful space exploration missions like NASA’s successful landing and operation of the Curiosity rover on Mars, and the European Space Agency’s equally successful landing of its Philae probe on comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko. These advances have inspired many young graduates and undergraduates to study space robotics.
Xiu-Tian Yan is Professor of Mechatronic Systems Technology at the University of Strathclyde. He was Chairman of Robotics and Mechatronics TPN of the Institution of Engineering and Technology. In the course of 30 years in the field, he has developed novel research approaches to mechatronic system design, including the development and application of “mechatronic design process models”, modeling and simulation of these systems, and techniques for prototyping them for validation.
His research interests include mechatronic systems design, robotics (especially in multi-perspective mechatronic system modeling), design and simulation, computer support mechatronic systems design using AI techniques, the proactive computer support of product life-cycle synthesis, system generalization and configuration design, and constraint-based insightful engineering design support. He has published over 270 journal and conference papers and has edited or co-authored five books on mechatronics, advanced design and manufacture.
Dr Gianfranco Visentin has been with the European Space Agency (ESA) for the last 25 years. Since getting started at the ESA he has been with the Automation and Robotics (A&R) group working in support of ESA robotics projects. He has participated in the development of the European Robot Arm (ERA), the Columbus Microgravity Facilities, the EUROBOT system (which he initiated) and the ExoMars project. His research and development (R&D) efforts have covered the whole spectrum of technologies needed for space A&R, including: conventional robotics platforms (rovers, robot arms), alternative robotic platforms (moles, aerobots, walking robots), robot autonomy, teleoperation and remote control (robot programming stations, exoskeletons), perception (computer vision) and robot subsystems (robot joints, controllers). He is the inventor of some original space concepts such as 3D digital camcorders (2 used on board the International Space Station), arm exoskeletons for space use, and capture of space debris by means of throw nets. In his current post Dr Visentin is responsible for the ESA’s technology domain for Automation and Robotics. He is chair/co-chair of the ASTRA and iSAIRAS conferences, which are the primary forums for discussing ideas and advances in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics in space. He is currently coordinator of the European Commission (EC) funded project PERASPERA, which provides the EC with the roadmap for developments within the H2020 space robotics technology Strategic Research Cluster.
