Advanced Control and Manipulation for Robotic Systems

Dear Colleagues,

Robotic systems are undergoing a rapid transformation, driven by advances in control theory, sensorimotor integration, machine learning, and intelligent system design. Robotic systems are rapidly advancing in their ability to perform complex manipulation tasks with precision, adaptability, and robustness. These developments are essential for enabling robots to operate reliably in dynamic, uncertain, and unstructured environments.

Based on modern research, it can be noted that contemporary research in robotic manipulation increasingly recognizes the importance of tight coupling between perception, control, and physical embodiment. Concepts from embodied intelligence, soft robotics, and morphological computation are reshaping how robots interact with the physical world, while AI‑driven intelligent control strategies are enabling adaptation, prediction, and safe human–robot collaboration.

This Special Issue aims to advance the scientific and engineering foundations of robotic manipulation and control by gathering high-quality contributions that address theoretical developments, algorithmic innovations, and practical applications. This focus aligns closely with the journal’s scope in robotics, intelligent systems, automation, and cyber–physical technologies.

This Special Issue seeks to showcase research that enhances autonomy, adaptability, and physical intelligence in robotic systems—consistent with the journal’s mission to publish impactful work in advanced robotics, intelligent control, and emerging technologies. The thematic breadth is intentionally balanced: broad enough to attract diverse contributions across robotics and control, yet focused on manipulation and intelligent control to ensure a coherent and meaningful collection.

We are pleased to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue, which aims to highlight emerging methods, architectures, and technologies that advance the autonomy, dexterity, and performance of robotic manipulation systems.

For this Special Issue, original research articles and review papers are welcomed. Submissions may include, but are not limited to:

• Advanced control strategies for robotic manipulators and mobile manipulation platforms.
• Learning‑based, adaptive, and model‑predictive control for manipulation tasks.
• Sensorimotor integration, multimodal perception, and real‑time decision architectures.
• Grasping, dexterous manipulation, and contact‑rich interaction.
• Embodied intelligence principles applied to manipulation and physical interaction.
• Soft robotics, morphological computation, and bio‑inspired manipulation mechanisms.
• Human–robot physical interaction, shared autonomy, and safety‑critical control.
• Cyber–physical co‑design for high‑performance manipulation systems.
• Applications of advanced manipulation in manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, agriculture, and service robotics.

These themes reflect the Special Issue’s emphasis on emerging methods, architectures, and technologies that enhance the autonomy, dexterity, and performance of modern robots” and the goal of fostering the development of systems capable of achieving higher levels of autonomy, adaptability, and physical intelligence.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Muhammad Nasiruddin Mahyuddin
Prof. Dr. Houssem Jerbi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the Special Issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Machines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.