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The purpose of this paper is to provide details of developments in quantum technologies and consider their potential applications in robotics.

Following a short introduction, this study first provides an overview of the global quantum technology landscape. It then discusses developments in quantum computing and sensing technologies. Potential applications in robotics are then considered and finally, brief conclusions are drawn.

Quantum technologies are the topic of a rapidly growing global R&D effort. Quantum computing has the potential to conduct conventional computations far more rapidly than traditional computers and solve complex problems that are presently challenging or impossible. If realised, robotic applications could include enhanced route planning, machine learning and data fusion. Quantum position and magnetic field sensors have the potential to revolutionise navigation systems in airborne, land and marine robots and overcome limitations of GPS and inertial measurement units. Magnetic sensors also have a role in health care in the control of robotic prostheses and exoskeletons and in brain–computer interface techniques. Quantum radar, lidar and imaging systems stand to outperform their conventional counterparts, and applications are anticipated in military and civilian robots. Quantum technologies are still at an early stage of development, and much progress will be made in the future, opening up many further robotic applications.

This study provides an insight into quantum technology developments and their potential applications in robotics.

The purpose of this study is to provide details of the development and applications of surgical robots.

Following a short introduction, this first provides a historical background to surgical robot developments. The following sections discuss applications, specialised systems and their uses, remote telesurgery and a short consideration of future prospects. Finally, brief conclusions are drawn.

Catalysed by the needs of NASA and the US Department of Defence, robotic surgery was first conducted in the 1980s with modified industrial robots and the first dedicated surgical robots emerged commercially in the 1990s. These allow surgeons to conduct minimally invasive procedures which lead to significant patient benefits. Advances in communications have enabled long-range telesurgery based on commercial networks. In 2024, a telesurgical technique was conducted on simulated tissue on the International Space Station. Advances in artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality and virtual reality will enhance the capabilities of future systems as well as contributing to improved surgeon training. In the longer term, AI-assisted surgery may be conducted with limited human intervention and full automation of certain procedures may ultimately arise.

This provides a detailed account of surgical robot developments and applications from their inception in the 1980s to the present day.

The purpose of this paper is to provide details of biomimetic and neuromorphic sensor research and developments and discuss their applications in robotics.

Following a short introduction, this first provides examples of recent biomimetic gripping and sensing skin research and developments. It then considers neuromorphic vision sensing technology and its potential robotic applications. Finally, brief conclusions are drawn.

Biomimetics aims to exploit mechanisms, structures and signal processing techniques which occur in the natural world. Biomimetic sensors and control techniques can impart robots with a range of enhanced capabilities such as learning, gripping and multidimensional tactile sensing. Neuromorphic vision sensors offer several key operation benefits over conventional frame-based imaging techniques. Robotic applications are still largely at the research stage but uses are anticipated in enhanced safety systems in autonomous vehicles and in robotic gripping.

This illustrates how tactile and imaging sensors based on biological principles can contribute to imparting robots with enhanced capabilities.

The aim of this article is to provide details of recent technological developments in robotic teleoperation.

Following a short introduction, the two main sections of this article provide examples of recent research involving the application of virtual reality and haptic technologies, respectively, to robotic teleoperation. Brief conclusions are drawn.

Teleoperation systems are being developed which incorporate virtual reality and haptic feedback technologies. Those using virtual reality seek to enhance the operator’s feeling of immersion in the scene and improve their situation awareness and trials involving diverse tasks illustrate that the technology can achieve these aims and overcome many limitations of traditional systems. Haptic feedback further enhances the degree of operator involvement and control and is now being adopted in commercial minimally invasive surgical systems. Systems which combine virtual reality with haptic feedback are being developed and have the potential to allow operators to conduct increasingly complex tasks.

Through reference to recent research, this illustrates how virtual reality and haptic technologies are enhancing the capabilities of robotic teleoperation.

This paper aims to illustrate the growing importance of agricultural robots by providing details of recent product developments and their applications.

Following a short introduction, this first discusses a range of agricultural applications of drones. It then provides details of a selection of mobile field robots and their applications. Finally, concluding comments are drawn.

Commercially available aerial and terrestrial robots are playing a rapidly growing role in a diversity of agricultural practices. Key capabilities and benefits include detecting crop stress and disease, predicting crop yields, reducing agrochemical use, overcoming manpower shortages and reducing labour costs and facilitating precision agricultural practices such as highly localised pesticide and herbicide application and the replacement of large, heavy agricultural machines by fleets of small, lightweight robots.

This provides a detailed insight into the many ways in which robots are transforming agricultural practices.

This paper aims to provide details of recent advances in robotic prostheses with the emphasis on the control and sensing technologies.

Following a short introduction, this paper first discusses the main robotic prosthesis control strategies. It then provides details of recent research and developments using non-invasive and invasive brain–computer interfaces (BCIs). These are followed by examples of studies that seek to confer robotic prostheses with sensory feedback. Finally, brief conclusions are drawn.

A significant body of research is underway involving electromyographic and BCI technologies, often in combination with advanced data processing and analysis schemes. This has the potential to yield robotic prostheses with advanced capabilities such as greater dexterity and sensory feedback.

This illustrates how electromyographic, BCI, signal processing and sensor technologies are being used to create robotic prostheses with enhanced functionality.

This aims to provide details of new sensor technologies and developments with potential applications in robotic tactile sensing and navigation.

Following a short introduction, this provides examples of tactile sensing research. This is followed by details of research into inertial sensors and other navigation techniques. Finally, brief conclusions are drawn.

This shows that tactile sensing and navigation techniques are the topic of a technologically diverse research effort which has prospects to impart various classes of robots with significantly enhanced capabilities.

This provides a technically detailed insight into recent sensor research with applications in robotic tactile sensing and navigation.