Abstract

Robotic technology is becoming ubiquitous as sensors, motors, and computers become smaller and cheaper. However, robotic technology depends not only on the physical hardware, but also on the software to perceive, plan, and control. Progress on the algorithmic foundations of robotics is critical. The papers in this volume give a solid overview of the state of the art in robot algorithms. They cover core problems in robotics, such as motion planning, sensor-based planning, manipulation, and assembly planning, and also examine the application of robotics algorithms in other domains, like molecular modeling, geometric modeling, and computer-assisted surgery. The volume includes papers presented at the Third International Workshop on the Algorithmic Foundations of Robotics, held at Rice University in 1998.