Communication Systems and Manipulators for Robots and Unmanned Systems

Dear Colleagues,

The technological advancements in many areas, such as electronics, telecommunications and mechatronics, and the continuous research activities related to the design and the use of the unmanned systems have resulted in the development of various aerial, ground and underwater robots and drones. The use of these systems has led to the automation of many processes; to newer, improved or more efficient research activities; and to many new discoveries. Above all, it has clearly presented the potential of unmanned systems and robots and their importance for the safer, faster and successful completion of planned tasks, as well as the vital role which they will play in the future of humanity. Nowadays, unmanned systems and robots are used in many different domains and for various applications, including for military and security applications, remote surveys of critical infrastructure, observations of forests and agricultural crops, livestock monitoring, etc. With the wide acceptance of robots and unmanned systems, the need for their use in new domains and for more advanced applications is becoming increasingly evident. This calls for the development of new types of manipulators, actuators and end effectors which can respond to the increasing need for automation of the processes using drones and robots, as well as for the development of new communications systems and technologies, which will make robots and drones more reliable and more secure, and will allow them to work autonomously or in swarms.

This Special Issue aims to present interesting papers focusing on the recent and emerging applications for robots and unmanned systems, which are related to the integration or use of novel manipulators or communication systems. The topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Innovative manipulators, actuators and end effectors for unmanned systems and robots;
• The development and integration of payload mechanisms and systems for drones and robots;
• Present technologies, emerging solutions and applications for tethered drones and robots;
• Advanced communication systems and interfaces for unmanned systems and robots;
• Data confidentiality and data integrity solutions for robots and drones;
• Interfaces and communication technologies for the teleoperation of unmanned systems;
• The design, development and use of collaborative robots and systems;
• Solutions and systems for the coordination of multiple robots and robot swarms;
• Artificial intelligence solutions for the autonomous operations of drones and robots;
• Attachable and combinable drones and robots;
• Extensions for the grasping, embedding and attaching of drones and robots;
• Visual and contact-based mechanisms for surveying and inspection with robots and drones.

Dr. Plamen Zahariev
Dr. Georgi Valentinov Hristov
Dr. Ivan Beloev
Dr. Vassilis C. Moulianitis
Guest Editors

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