IJRR Special Issue Call-for-Papers

International Journal of Robotics Research

Call for Papers

Special Issue on

*Stochasticity in Robotics and Biological Systems*

Guest Editors: H. Harry Asada (M.I.T.) and Vijay Kumar (University of Pennsylvania)



*Invitation:*

The International Journal of Robotics Research (IJRR) invites papers for a special issue on Stochasticity in Robotics and Biological Systems. Stochasticity has been a central issue in many branches of robotics research. Not only basic signal processing, communication, filtering, and control, but also advanced localization, planning, learning, and optimization as well as self-assembly and emergent behaviors are all heavily involved in stochasticity. Understanding of the stochastic nature of robotic systems and its strategic use are an integral part in developing effective systems. Biological systems are noisy systems, built upon thermodynamic random processes. Yet, a biological system is a highly regulated system that is robust and sustainable as well as flexible and adaptable. Although individual cells and molecules are stochastic, their collective behaviors are highly organized, exhibiting a particular morphological structure and high-level functionality. There will be effective architecture and regulatory mechanisms exploiting stochasticity that today's engineered systems have not yet utilized. It is our expectation that this special issue will display emerging new theory and methodologies, novel robotic systems and devices, and frontier research efforts in broad areas of stochastic robotics with emphasis on cross-disciplinary research between robotics and biological systems.



Papers are solicited on all aspects of stochastic robotics, including, but not limited to, the following:

Stochastic emergent behaviors of multi-robot systems and swarms;
Bio-inspired population modeling and control;
Machine learning, stochastic approximation, and probabilistic planning and optimization;
Neural system modeling, signal processing, and inference;
Stochastic modeling and control of biological robots, including bacteria-powered micro-robots;
Stochastic modeling and estimation of human behaviors and intension;
Self-assembly and chemical kinetics in micro/nano robotic systems; and
SLAM and integrated model building, data acquisition, and decision processes.

Papers must contain high-quality original contributions and be prepared in accordance with IJRR. All papers will be reviewed following the regular reviewing procedure of IJRR.

*Manuscript Submission*

Upload manuscripts to: http://mcmanuscriptcentral.com/ijrr. Under 'Manuscript Type', select 'Stochastic Robotics'. Instructions for authors, with information about 'Multimedia Extensions', are available on-line at: http://www.uk.sagepub.com/repository/binaries/pdf/Multimedia_Extension_submissions.pdf.



*Important Dates:*

*November 30, 2009 Paper submission*

*April 30, 2010 Completion of First Review*

*June 15, 2010 Submission of Revised Papers*

*August 16, 2010 Completion of Final Review*

*September 4, 2010 Submission of Final Manuscripts and Source Files*

*Late 2010/Early 2011 Publication*

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