Special Issues

Actuators publishes Special Issues to create collections of papers on specific topics, with the aim of building a community of authors and readers to discuss the latest research and develop new ideas and research directions. Special Issues are led by Guest Editors, who are experts on the topic and all Special Issue submissions follow MDPI's standard editorial process. The journal’s Editor-in-Chief and/or designated Editorial Board Member will oversee Guest Editor appointments and Special Issue proposals, checking their content for relevance and ensuring the suitability of the material for the journal. The papers published in a Special Issue will be collected and displayed on a dedicated page of the journal’s website. Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies and Guest Editor responsibilities can be found here. For any inquiries related to a Special Issue, please contact the Editorial Office.

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Design and Application of Actuators with Multi-DOF Movement-2nd Edition
edited by , and Chien-Yu Chen
submission deadline 15 Feb 2026 | 7 articles | Viewed by 22758
Keywords: multi-DOF; multi-DOF actuators; multi-DOF movements; humanoid robots; robotics
(This special issue belongs to the Section Miniaturized and Micro Actuators)
Dynamics and Control of Underactuated Systems submission deadline 15 Feb 2026 | 7 articles | Viewed by 15451
Keywords: underactuated systems; motion planning; control of underactuated systems; dynamics of underactuated systems; inverse dynamics; flexible systems; vibration control
(This special issue belongs to the Section Control Systems)
Design and Control of Assistive and Rehabilitation Robots
edited by and
submission deadline 15 Feb 2026 | Viewed by 266
Keywords: rehabilitation robotics; assistive robotics; motor function recovery; active rehabilitation; passive rehabilitation; machine learning in robotics; EMG-based control; neural signal integration; soft robotics for rehabilitation; mobile robots for rehabilitation
(This special issue belongs to the Section Actuators for Robotics)
Design and Control of Parallel Robotics
edited by Huicheng Zhou
submission deadline 16 Feb 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 861 | Submission Open
Keywords: parallel robots; intelligent algorithms; forward kinematics; maximum singularity-free space; structural parameter optimization; parameter calibration; precision motion control
(This special issue belongs to the Section Actuators for Robotics)
Advanced Theory and Application of Magnetic Actuators—3rd Edition submission deadline 20 Feb 2026 | 4 articles | Viewed by 1759 | Submission Open
Keywords: magnetic bearing; maglev train; magnetic suspension; suspension control; new maglev technology; new applications of maglev technology
(This special issue belongs to the Section Actuators for Surface Vehicles)
Piezoelectric Actuators and Motors: State-of-the-Art and Perspectives for Actuators
edited by , and Zhi Xu
submission deadline 20 Feb 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 1185 | Submission Open
Keywords: advanced design of piezoelectric actuators; smart piezoelectric materials; theoretical analysis of piezoelectric actuators; precision control technology; self-sensing for piezoelectric actuators; assessment and precision measurement; advanced manufacturing of piezoelectric actuators; emerging applications of piezoelectric actuators
(This special issue belongs to the Section Actuator Materials)
Intelligent Safety Control and Actuation Technologies for Aerospace Systems
edited by
submission deadline 20 Feb 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 792 | Submission Open
Keywords: aerospace vehicle control; control systems design; safety control; intelligent control; model predictive control; adaptive control; human– machine shared control; trustworthy control design and decision-making; machine learning; command allocation; actuator modeling; simulation; and validation
(This special issue belongs to the Section Aerospace Actuators)
Autonomous Vehicles Impact on Roads and Control Strategies submission deadline 20 Feb 2026 | Viewed by 174 | Submission Open
Keywords: intelligent vehicles; vehicle control strategies; remote operators; active and passive safety systems
(This special issue belongs to the Section Actuators for Surface Vehicles)
Power Electronics and Actuators—Second Edition
edited by Dong Jiang, Sizhao Lu and Zewei Shen
submission deadline 28 Feb 2026 | 12 articles | Viewed by 13645 | Submission Open
Keywords: power electronics; actuator; drive; dynamic; power density
(This special issue belongs to the Section High Torque/Power Density Actuators)
Soft Actuators and Robotics—2nd Edition submission deadline 28 Feb 2026 | 4 articles | Viewed by 9850 | Submission Open
Keywords: soft robotics; soft actuators; manufacturing methods in soft robotics; topology optimization in soft robotics; modeling and control of soft robotics; AI in soft robotics; soft grippers
(This special issue belongs to the Section Actuators for Robotics)
Advanced Learning and Intelligent Control Algorithms for Robots
edited by , Lanlin Yu and
submission deadline 28 Feb 2026 | 4 articles | Viewed by 4041 | Submission Open
Keywords: robotics; advanced learning; intelligent control algorithms; multi-robot control; autonomous navigation control; decision-making; swarm robotics control
(This special issue belongs to the Section Control Systems)
Dynamics and Control of Aerospace Systems—2nd Edition
edited by , Gangqiang Li, Zhengtao Wei and Caoqun Luo
submission deadline 28 Feb 2026 | 4 articles | Viewed by 3680 | Submission Open
Keywords: system dynamics; system identification; control system design; stability analysis; dynamics and control; aerospace vehicles; experimental investigation
(This special issue belongs to the Section Aerospace Actuators)
Intelligent and Precision Control for Mechatronic/Electro-Hydraulic Systems—Second Edition
edited by and
submission deadline 28 Feb 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 2316 | Submission Open
Keywords: control; mechatronics; electro-hydraulic systems; intelligent control; machine learning; motion control; non-linear control
(This special issue belongs to the Section Control Systems)
Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) Actuators and Their Applications—2nd Edition
edited by , and Janeth Ileana Arias Guadalupe
submission deadline 28 Feb 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1070 | Submission Open
Keywords: shape memory alloy actuator; actuator design  ; control  ; sensorless actuator; modeling
(This special issue belongs to the Section Actuator Materials)
Smart Actuation and Flow Control Technologies for Next-Generation Aircraft Propulsion Systems
edited by
submission deadline 28 Feb 2026 | Viewed by 259 | Submission Open
Keywords: smart actuation; plasma actuators; flow control; aircraft propulsion systems; linear and serpentine designs; aerospace applications; distributed sensing; propulsion airframe integration
(This special issue belongs to the Section Aerospace Actuators)
Control of Hydraulic Robotic Manipulators
edited by
submission deadline 10 Mar 2026 | 3 articles | Viewed by 6376 | Submission Open
Keywords: electro-hydraulic/hydrostatic actuators; energy-efficient solutions; electric vs. hydraulics; modeling and simulations; model-based design; digital twin; optimal and health-aware control; applied AI/machine learning; offshore robotics; assistive technology
(This special issue belongs to the Section Actuators for Robotics)
Recent Advances in MEMS/NEMS Actuators and Sensors: From Theory to Application
edited by , Ryutaro Maeda and Chen Wu
submission deadline 15 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 534 | Submission Open
Keywords: micro and nano sensors & actuators; micro and nano systems; micro and nano fabrication; micro and nano electronics
(This special issue belongs to the Section Miniaturized and Micro Actuators)
Piezoelectric Ultrasonic Actuators and Motors—2nd Edition
edited by and
submission deadline 15 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 341 | Submission Open
Keywords: high-frequency piezoelectric actuators; ultra-high-frequency driving technologies; piezoelectric– fluid coupling vibration control; microfluidic precision jetting; multi-DOF ultrasonic motors
Control System of Autonomous Surface Vehicles
edited by Jun Ning, Xin Hu, and Jian-Chuan Yin
submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | 5 articles | Viewed by 6692 | Submission Open
Keywords: surface vehicle control; nonlinear control design; fuzzy logic control; observer design; automatic collision avoidance; sliding mode control systems; trajectory planning and optimization; autonomous surface vehicle control; networked control
(This special issue belongs to the Section Actuators for Surface Vehicles)
Innovative MEMS: Merging Smart Materials with Electronic Techniques for Enhanced Sensing and Actuation
edited by Michele Rosso and
submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 2701 | Submission Open
Keywords: MEMS; actuation; sensing; energy harvesting; magnetic interaction; electromechanical coupling; piezoelectric; electronic techniques; circuits
(This special issue belongs to the Section Miniaturized and Micro Actuators)
Electrothermal and Electromagnetic Modeling of Actuator Power Cable Harnesses
edited by and Nassim Rizoug
submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 134 | Submission Open
Keywords: actuators; cable harnesses; multiconductor transmission line network; electromagnetic modeling; electromagnetic compatibility; electrothermal modeling; temperature distribution
(This special issue belongs to the Section High Torque/Power Density Actuators)
High-Performance Control of Electromechanical Servo System Based on Motor/Hydraulic Actuator
edited by , and Zhangbao Xu
submission deadline 30 Mar 2026 | 6 articles | Viewed by 4005 | Submission Open
Keywords: motor control; hydraulic control; electromechanical control; servo control; motion control; controller design; control theory and application; control engineering; modeling and simulations
(This special issue belongs to the Section Control Systems)
Next-Generation Electric Machine Design and Control for Sustainable Mobility submission deadline 30 Mar 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 1164 | Submission Open
Keywords: electric machine design optimization; control strategies; electric drives; transportation systems; energy efficiency; real-time control; multi-objective optimization; modeling and simulation; sustainable transportation; experimental validation
Advanced Actuation and Control Technologies for Vehicle Driving Systems—2nd Edition
edited by and Masakazu Mukai
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | 7 articles | Viewed by 12860 | Submission Open
Keywords: actuation technology for vehicles; vehicle dynamics and control; intelligent vehicle; advanced powertrain control technology; advanced motion control applications
(This special issue belongs to the Section Actuators for Surface Vehicles)
Adaptive Fault-Tolerant Control Strategies for Uncertain Nonlinear Systems: Mitigating Actuator Faults
edited by Jianhui Wang and Kairui Chen
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | 5 articles | Viewed by 5512 | Submission Open
Keywords: nonlinear systems; multi-agent systems; adaptive fault-tolerant control; actuator failures; model predictive control; industrial robots or mobile robots
(This special issue belongs to the Section Control Systems)
Advanced Actuators and Magnetic Fluid Systems: Design, Control, and Applications
edited by , , Fang Chen and
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | 3 articles | Viewed by 3878 | Submission Open
Keywords: advanced actuators; magnetic fluid systems; design and control; engineering applications; performance optimization; magnetic liquid Devices; microactuators; fluid machinery
(This special issue belongs to the Section High Torque/Power Density Actuators)
Cable-Driven Parallel Robot Actuators: State-of-the-Art and New Developments
edited by and Le Xie
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 2185 | Submission Open
Keywords: cable-driven actuators; tendon-based robotic systems; dynamic modelling; force control; rehabilitation technology; robotic surgery; sport training; human– machine interface
(This special issue belongs to the Section Actuators for Robotics)
Bioinspired Intelligence for Soft Actuators: Learning, Control, and Embodied Design
edited by , and Yi Li
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 2150 | Submission Open
Keywords: bioinspired robotics; soft robotic actuators; biomimetic design principles; smart materials; artificial muscles; autonomous sensor integration; medical; wearable; and rehabilitation robotics; robotics in harsh environments; autonomous decision making; integrated sensors
(This special issue belongs to the Section Actuators for Robotics)
Actuators and Robotic Devices for Rehabilitation and Assistance—2nd Edition submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 1763 | Submission Open
Keywords: rehabilitative robotics; assistive robotics; exoskeleton robots; end-effector robots; device control; device actuation
(This special issue belongs to the Section Actuators for Medical Instruments)
Fault Diagnosis and Prognosis in Actuators
edited by Chao Zhang, , Jie Chen and Qingbin Gao
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 890 | Submission Open
Keywords: actuators; fault diagnosis; fault prognosis; fault detection; fault isolation; fault identification; signal processing; data-driven; machine learning; artificial intelligence; health management  ; predictive maintenance  
(This special issue belongs to the Section Control Systems)
Magnetic Bearings and Actuators: From Theory to Industrial Innovations submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 386 | Submission Open
Keywords: active magnetic bearings; passive magnetic bearings; electrodynamic bearings; superconducting magnetic bearings; bearingless motors (self-bearing motors); sensors; actuators; power electronics for magnetic bearings; self-sensing techniques; fault detection; diagnosis; and tolerance; backup/touchdown bearings; blood pumps and vacuum pumps
(This special issue belongs to the Section Control Systems)
Design and Control of Agricultural Robotics
edited by Mehrdad R. Kermani
submission deadline 15 Apr 2026 | 5 articles | Viewed by 18485 | Submission Open
Keywords: agricultural robotics; automation technologies; sustainable food production; mechatronic and vision systems in agriculture; autonomous harvesting; sensing technologies; crop health assessment; precision farming; human– robot interaction; field trials; ethics
(This special issue belongs to the Section Actuators for Robotics)
Design, Modeling, and Control of UAV Systems
edited by , Bailing Tian and Hongyang Bai
submission deadline 20 Apr 2026 | 3 articles | Viewed by 3628 | Submission Open
Keywords: UAV system design; aerodynamics; control system optimization; path planning; autonomous navigation; sensor fusion; fault-tolerant control
(This special issue belongs to the Section Aerospace Actuators)
Advanced Model Predictive Control and Intelligent Actuation for Multi-Agent and Complex Systems submission deadline 20 Apr 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1035 | Submission Open
Keywords: model predictive control (MPC); multi-agent systems (MASs); resilient actuation; data-driven predictive control (DDPC); coalition-based control; topology switching; machine learning integration; cyber-physical systems (CPSs); resource-efficient control strategies; robust control in dynamic environments
(This special issue belongs to the Section Actuators for Robotics)
Actuators in Robotic Control—3rd Edition
edited by
submission deadline 30 Apr 2026 | 8 articles | Viewed by 18134 | Submission Open
Keywords: variable impedance actuators; soft actuators; elastic actuators; electric actuators; pneumatic artificial muscles; force/torque control; soft robotics; mobile robots; humanoid robotics; wearable robotic system; assistant robotics; upper limb exoskeletons; lower limb exoskeletons
(This special issue belongs to the Section Actuators for Robotics)
Editorial Board Members’ Collection Series: Nonlinear Control and Dynamics for MEMS submission deadline 30 Apr 2026 | 5 articles | Viewed by 13804 | Submission Open
Keywords: MEMS; functionalized nonlinearity; nonlinear; dynamics and vibrations; bifurcation topology; multistability; frequency stability; chaos; modal interactions; nonlinear controllers; dynamic; stability; robust control; hybrid controllers; adaptive control; reduced order modeling
(This special issue belongs to the Section Miniaturized and Micro Actuators)
Aerospace Mechanisms and Actuation—Second Edition
edited by
submission deadline 30 Apr 2026 | 7 articles | Viewed by 11776 | Submission Open
Keywords: rigid-body mechanisms for aerospace; compliant mechanisms for aerospace; centralized and distributed actuation architectures; conventional actuators (mechanically signaled and hydraulically supplied); EMA and full electrical actuation; mechanism design and optimization; multibody simulations; non-linear mechanics; manufacturing; integration; and maintenance; safety and reliability; high-lift devices and other aerospace applications
(This special issue belongs to the Section Aerospace Actuators)
Nonlinear Control of Mechanical and Robotic Systems
edited by Arturo Zavala-Río, and Fernando Reyes-Cortés
submission deadline 30 Apr 2026 | 4 articles | Viewed by 6581 | Submission Open
Keywords: mechanical systems; robot manipulators; mobile robots; underactuated systems; networked robots; finite-time control; bilateral teleoperation; passivity-based control; force control; constrained control
(This special issue belongs to the Section Control Systems)
Autonomous Soft Robotic Systems for Surgical Applications with Integrated Actuation and Sensing
edited by and Thomas Looi
submission deadline 30 Apr 2026 | 3 articles | Viewed by 2558 | Submission Open
Keywords: soft surgical robotics; soft autonomous robotic systems; soft actuation mechanisms; adaptive control strategies; real-time sensing and feedback; soft robots for minimally invasive surgery
Advanced Technologies in Soft Actuators—2nd Edition submission deadline 30 Apr 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 2545 | Submission Open
Keywords: IPMC; EAP; photo and thermally active actuators; magnetoactive actuators; SMA
(This special issue belongs to the Section Actuator Materials)
New Control Schemes for Actuators—3rd Edition submission deadline 30 Apr 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 537 | Submission Open
Keywords: intelligent control; real-time implementation; nonlinear control; robust control; observer-based control
(This special issue belongs to the Section Control Systems)
Advanced Control of Mechatronics Systems for Small Scale Robotics
edited by
submission deadline 30 Apr 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 534 | Submission Open
Keywords: model-based control; data-driven control; hardware-software co-design; embedded control systems; real-time control systems; sensor-actuator integration; nonlinear control; adaptive control; energy-aware control; robust control
(This special issue belongs to the Section Actuators for Robotics)
Actuation, Biomechanics, and Control Strategies of Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Exoskeletons
edited by Mahdy Eslamy and Mo Rastgaar
submission deadline 30 Apr 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 427 | Submission Open
Keywords: biomechanics; actuation; control strategies; active prosthetics; orthotics; exoskeletons; powered assistive devices; wearable robotics; rehabilitation robotics
(This special issue belongs to the Section Actuators for Medical Instruments)
Electrical Actuators for High-Efficiency and Low-Emission Powertrains and Vehicle Testbeds
edited by
submission deadline 30 Apr 2026 | Viewed by 326 | Submission Open
Keywords: eco-friendly combustion engines; electric actuators; low emission; engine performance; combustion control; engine testing and measuring
(This special issue belongs to the Section Actuators for Surface Vehicles)
Integrated Intelligent Vehicle Dynamics and Control—2nd Edition
edited by and
submission deadline 30 Apr 2026 | Viewed by 120 | Submission Open
Keywords: intelligent vehicle; electric vehicle; rail vehicle; special vehicle; vehicle dynamics modelling and control; integrated vehicle control; dynamic modelling and control of powertrain; chassis system dynamics and integrated control; X-by-wire chassis system dynamics and control; fault diagnosis and control of intelligent vehicle; vehicle stability analysis; energy management strategy of electric vehicle; connected autonomous vehicle control; vehicle dynamics control in mixed traffic environment
(This special issue belongs to the Section Actuators for Surface Vehicles)
Industrial and Biomechanical Applications of Actuators and Robots and Eco-Sutstainability—2nd Edition submission deadline 30 Apr 2026 | Viewed by 120 | Submission Open
Keywords: industrial applications; actuators for manufacturing; testing and control; actuator design; energy source for actuators; actuators in biomechanics; eco-sustainability
(This special issue belongs to the Section Actuators for Manufacturing Systems)
Advanced Actuators and Dampers for Next-Generation Vibration and Noise Control
edited by Hermann Rottengruber, and Tommy Luft
submission deadline 15 May 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 666 | Submission Open
Keywords: active vibration control; passive damping systems; hybrid damping technologies; smart actuators and materials; acoustic noise reduction; structural dynamics and control; adaptive vibration suppression; broadband noise mitigation; intelligent damping solutions; advanced actuator technologies
Design and Control of Soft Assistive Wearable Robots
edited by , Veysel Erel and
submission deadline 15 May 2026 | Viewed by 555 | Submission Open
Keywords: soft robotics; wearable robots; assistive robots; flexible sensors; exoskeletons; human-robot interaction; biomechanical design; control strategies; medical rehabilitation; industrial assistance; compliant actuators; safety and intuitiveness; advanced materials and technologies
(This special issue belongs to the Section Actuators for Robotics)
Human-Centered Actuation: Algorithms, Design, and Robotic Applications submission deadline 20 May 2026 | Viewed by 166 | Submission Open
Keywords: actuation; algorithms; design; robotic; control; safety; manipulation; human-centered robotic; assistive robotics; human-robot interaction; intelligent robotic systems
(This special issue belongs to the Section Actuators for Robotics)
Magnetic Levitation and Actuator Integration: From Fundamental Research to Emerging Applications submission deadline 30 May 2026 | 7 articles | Viewed by 3999 | Submission Open
Keywords: magnetic levitation; intelligent control; vibration control; system applications; robust algorithms
(This special issue belongs to the Section Actuators for Surface Vehicles)
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