Soft robotics is a subfield of robotics that encompasses the design and fabrication of robots with soft and compliant materials. Soft robots represent components like human prosthetics or biomimicking systems. Soft robotics relies on technically astute designs based on the correct choice of materials to enable a level of dexterity not possible with rigid components alone. The basic prime movers (actuators) and perception (sensors) require control systems capable of accommodating imprecise feedback data and often unpredictable reaction times. Mobility in such robots is more akin to entomological or marine systems than conventional guided vehicles. This reference is a guide to materials and systems used in soft robotics. If features 6 chapters contributed by robotics experts that review fundamental and applied topics that are important for understanding the requirements of soft robotics design projects and the physics of the polymers involved. Chapters are organized for easy reading and include references. The topics include: - Aspects of materials processing and engineering for the development of soft robotic devices - A review on biological gripping principles and their application to robotics - Information about self-sensing electroadhesive polymer grippers with magnetically controllable surface geometry - Theoretical and experimental investigations of magnetic hybrid materials - Modeling and dynamic analysis of a novel rotary soft robotic arm by transfer matrix method - Design and control of a portable continuum robot for pipe inspection assisted by a rigid manipulator This book is a suitable reference for scholars and engineers who are seeking knowledge about materials and design principles in soft robotics with its practical applications.

A smart city uses technology to provide services and solve problems to improve urban policy efficiency, reduce waste, improve quality of life, and maximize social inclusion. By 2050, 66% of the world's population is expected to be urban, which is a key driver of a global trend toward the creation of smart cities. This trend creates many opportunities for urban planning committees to learn how to design, modernize, and operate smart cities intelligently and effectively. Facets of a Smart City: Computational and Experimental Techniques for Sustainable Urban Development is a collection of topics that are relevant to the design of a smart city. This book aims to complement technical journal articles that require advanced knowledge of the subject of smart cities and applications for readers. It aims to bridge knowledge gaps in sustainable urban design by providing background information via case studies to facilitate students, recent graduates and new practitioners in urban design and planning. Key Features: - This book features 9 chapters that cover 6 major domains, which include (i) information modelling, (ii) internet of things, (iii) intelligent transportation systems, (iv) water supply, (v) waste management and (vi) sustainable environment - Computational techniques are included in the book. These include artificial neural networks, stochastic models, particle swarm optimization, machine learning, and adaptive neuro-fuzzy Inference systems. - Goals of case studies presented in this book use computational techniques to offer readers examples of supervised, unsupervised and reinforcement learning strategies in the context of smart city applications - References are provided for further reading