Print ISBN: 978-1-68217-942-0
# of Pages: 414
# of Volumes: 1
Print List Price: $165
e-ISBN: 978-1-68217-969-7
eBook User Price: $165
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Principles of Robotics & Artificial Intelligence

Editor: Donald R. Franceschetti, PhD
December 2018


This volume provides readers with the important information they need to understand the basic concepts of artificial intelligence as well as ways that both AI and robotics can be successfully incorporated into manufacturing, transportation, education, and medicine.

The study of artificial intelligence and robotics offer the enormous potential of continuing the wide-reaching debate about how men and machines live together, now and in the future. The notion that a machine can respond to its environment, make decisions, and learn, has been the stuff of science fiction for hundreds of years. This work examines the key principles and concepts behind the engineering and technological advances that have allowed IBM’s Deep Blue to compete against professional chess players and game show contestants, and a device to by itself vacuum your house. Artificial intelligence (AI) infers that a machine can assess its surroundings and take steps toward a goal. Self-driving cars rely on AI not only to map a route and obey established traffic law, but also to respond to the behaviors of cars around them. Robots rely on computers, sensory feedback systems, and information processing in order to perform in the place of humans.

This reference work begins with a comprehensive introduction to robotics and artificial intelligence, written by volume editor Donald R. Franceschetti, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Physics and Material Science at the University of Memphis.

More than 120 easy-to-understand entries, many with illustrations and photographs to enhance understanding, cover topics related to such important concepts in artificial intelligence and robotics as:

  • Augmented Reality
  • Behavior Informatics
  • Constraint Programming
  • Deep Blue
  • Evolutionary Algorithm
  • Fuzzy Logic
  • Game Theory
  • Incremental Learning
  • Internet of Things (IoT)
  • Machine Learning
  • Neural Networks
  • Pattern Recognition
  • Robots
  • Self Management
  • Smart Appliances
  • Virtual Reality

Entries related to the basic principles and concepts include the following:

A Summary that provides brief, concrete summary of the topic and how the entry is organized;

History and Background, to give context for significant achievements in areas related to robotics and artificial intelligence including mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, medicine, and education;

Text that gives an explanation of the background and significance of the topic to robotics and artificial intelligence by describing developments such as Siri, facial recognition, augmented and virtual reality, and autonomous cars;

Applications and Products, Impacts, Concerns, and Future to discuss aspects of the entry that can have sweeping impact on our daily lives, including smart devices, homes, and cities; medical devices; security and privacy; and manufacturing;

Illustrations that clarify difficult concepts via models, diagrams, and charts of such key topics as Combinatrics, Cyberspace, Digital logic, Grammatology, Neural engineering, Interval, Biomimetics; and Soft robotics;

and Bibliography lists that relate to the entry.

The book includes helpful appendixes as another valuable resource, including the following:

  • Timeline of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, tracing the field back to ancient history;
  • A.M. Turing Award Winners, recognizing the work of pioneers and innovators in the field of computer science, robotics, and artificial intelligence;
  • Glossary;
  • General Bibliography;
  • and Subject Index.

Designed for high school students and undergraduates, this new resource introduces researchers to the fundamentals of robotics and artificial intelligence using easy-to-understand language for a solid background and a deeper understanding and appreciation of this important and evolving subject. Readers can use these entries as a solid starting off point to develop thorough understanding of this complex subject matter.


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