Manipulation using dextrous robot hands has been an exciting yet frustrating research topic for the last several years. While significant progress has occurred in the design, construction, and low level control of robotic hands, researchers are up against fundamental problems in developing algorithms for real-time computations in multi-sensory processing and motor control. The aim of this book is to explore parallels in sensorimotor integration in dextrous robot and human hands, addressing the basic question of how the next generation of dextrous hands should evolve. By bringing together experimental psychologists, kinesiologists, computer scientists, electrical engineers, and mechanical engineers, the book covers topics that range from human hand usage in prehension and exploration, to the design and use of robotic sensors and multi-fingered hands, and to control and computational architectures for dextrous hand usage. While the ultimate goal of capturing human hand versatility remains elusive, this book makes an important contribution to the design and control of future dextrous robot hands through a simple underlying message: a topic as complex as dextrous manipulation would best be addressed by collaborative, interdisciplinary research, combining high level and low level views, drawing parallels between human studies and analytic approaches, and integrating sensory data with motor commands. As seen in this text, success has been made through the establishment of such collaborative efforts. The future will hold up to expectations only as researchers become aware of advances in parallel fields and as a common vocabulary emerges from integrated perceptions about manipulation.

Container industry is gathering pace as vessels are becoming increasingly larger, with the volume of containers carried regularly exceeding 23,000 per vessel. This means the scope for accidents and incidents is also increasing exponentially.

This book is the first comprehensive presentation of a Kaiyu Markov model with covariates and a multivariate Poisson model with competitive destinations. These two models are core techniques when the authors and colleagues conduct their Kaiyu studies.

This book presents a specific technical solution, called intermodal transport, which became the basic technological solution that made it possible to provide global interregional transport. Every day, new technical, technological, and organizational solutions appear that significantly affect the further development of this industry.

In today’s era of digital transformation, the logistics sector is one of the most technology-intensive industries. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the IT infrastructure required for company operations, the types of enterprise software used in logistics, and current data collection technologies. It addresses the terminology, information flows, and application contexts of the necessary software, helping readers to see the big picture without being overwhelmed by technical details.

Control systems particularly designed to manage uncertainties are called robust control system. Choosing appropriate design methods, the influence of uncertainties on the closed-loop behaviour can be reduced to a large extent. Most of the important areas of robust control are covered. The aim of the book is to provide an introduction to the theory and methods of robust control system design, to present a coherent body of knowledge, to clarify and unify presentation of significant derivations and proofs. The book contains a thorough treatment of important material of uncertainties and robust control which is scattered throughout the literature.