Special Issue on Space Robotics

Special Issue Guest Editors: Kazuya Yoshida, Tohoku University,  David Wettergreen, Carnegie Mellon University

Space applications present many challenges to robotic systems: from extremes of temperature, vacuum, shock and gravity, to limitations on power and communication, from the intricate complexity of systems engineering, to requirements for reliability, robustness and autonomy. The Journal of Field Robotics (JFR) announces its third special issue on space robotics to examine topics related to robots and space. This biannual special issue will present and discuss the state of the art in space robots. We invite papers that exhibit theory and methods applied to robotic systems in space including:

1. •specification and evaluation of system concepts and designs;
   

2. •effects of the space environment on robotic devices;
   

3. •methods of relevant sensing, actuation, and mobility;
   

4. •applications in manipulation, assembly, construction and excavation;
   

5. •algorithms for localization and navigation, and task or mission planning;
   

6. •techniques for safe and precise orbital maneuvering and landing;
   

7. •experiments conducted in space or planetary analogue settings; and
   

8. •analysis of human robot interaction and robot autonomy.
   

Papers for this special issue must provide technical descriptions of systems and results and analysis of experimentation. We invite discussion and analysis of orbital robots/spacecraft and planetary rovers as well as prototype systems that have been field tested in terrestrial analogue environments. Lessons learned in development and operation are pertinent to the discussion.

We encourage papers addressing all aspects of space robotic systems. Our emphasis is on systems that fulfill a specific space-relevant application. Robotic systems in Earth orbit, traveling in deep space, and operating on the surfaces of planets, moons, comets, or asteroids are of particular interest, as well systems envisioned for space application but developed and demonstrated in relevant environments here on Earth. The JFR encourages multimedia content and this issue seeks inclusion of media illustrating system concept, experiments, and of course space operation.

Deadlines:

1. •January 7, 2011 – Submit manuscripts
   

2. •Feb 25, 2011 – Reviews completed
   

3. •March 4, 2011 – Decisions and author notification
   

4. •April 1, 2011 – Final manuscripts for publication
   

Authors interested in submitting to this issue can discuss submissions with the special issue editors, David Wettergreen or  Kazuya Yoshida

Special Issue on Safety, Security, and Rescue Robotics (SSRR)

Special Issue Guest Editors: Andreas Birk,  Jacobs University, Fumitoshi Matsuno, Kyoto University

This special issue on Safety, Security, and Rescue Robotics (SSRR) is dedicated to identifying and solving the key issues necessary to field capable robots in response missions. This includes aerial and ground robots as well as unmanned underwater and surface marine vehicles. The scope of this special issue on SSRR covers the robots’ overall design as well as crucial components, e.g., for advanced locomotion, and intelligent onboard functionalities up to full autonomy.

Contributions of interests can hence come from the following three areas: 1) vehicles, i.e., complete marine, aerial, and ground robots as well as their components, 2) intelligent functionalities, e.g., mapping, advanced user interfaces, software components for autonomy, and 3) applications, e.g., field reports and end user studies. The related topics include:

1. •locomotion for ground, aerial, marine systems in unstructured environments
   

2. •non-standard designs including systems with many degrees of freedom and micro-robots
   

3. •mobile manipulation including the handling of human victims or of hazardous objects, or the facilitation of enabling actions like opening doors or removing obstacles
   

4. •sensing and perception to aid navigation and motion control, to detect and recognize hazards, and to detect victims
   

5. •mapping of unstructured environments including 2-D and 3-D approaches, the integration of GIS, and the handling of dynamic and semantic information
   

6. •intelligent behaviors to improve robot performance, survivability, and usability, e.g., handling radio-drop-outs, driving assistance, and the detection of hazardous areas
   

7. •advanced human-robot interfaces, especially to improve remote situational awareness
   

8. •algorithms for autonomous search, exploration, and surveillance
   

9. •multi-robot teams and mixed human-robot teams
   

10. •scenario identification and specification, e.g. for application areas like urban search and rescue, explosive ordinance disposal, CBRN hazard detection/mitigation, or surveillance
    

11. •emergency management concepts covering for example training methods
    

12. •performance requirements and evaluation methods
    

Submissions must follow the spirit of the Journal of Field Robotics, i.e., they must describe fully implemented systems that were tested under realistic conditions or even deployed in regular operations. Authors are encouraged to submit multimedia attachments to the paper, i.e., data sets, videos, etc.

Deadlines:

1. •November 15, 2010 – Submit manuscripts
   

2. •February 1, 2011 – Decisions and author notification
   

3. •March 15, 2011 – Final manuscripts for publication
   

For comments, suggestions, or requests, please send an email to Andreas Birk.