Special Issue (SI): Emerging Trends in Robotics and Automation
Short Abstract
Emerging robotics and automation technologies are rapidly reshaping modern industries, healthcare, transportation, agriculture, manufacturing, and smart infrastructure. Advances in artificial intelligence, machine learning, autonomous systems, collaborative robotics, industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), and intelligent control have significantly expanded the capabilities and applications of automated systems. This Special Issue aims to provide a platform for high-quality research on innovative developments, practical implementations, and interdisciplinary approaches in robotics and automation. Topics of interest include intelligent robotic systems, autonomous vehicles, industrial automation, robotic manipulators, human–robot interaction, smart manufacturing, sensor technologies, soft robotics, embedded systems, and AI-driven control strategies. Emphasis is placed on emerging solutions that improve efficiency, precision, safety, sustainability, and adaptability in engineering applications. Contributions addressing both theoretical advancements and real-world industrial challenges are highly encouraged to foster the development of next-generation robotic and automation technologies.
Keywords
Robotics, Automation, Artificial Intelligence, Industrial Automation, Autonomous
Systems, Smart Manufacturing, Robotic Manipulators, Human-Robot Interaction, IoT,
Embedded Systems, Intelligent Control Systems, Collaborative Robots, Industry 4.0, CyberPhysical Systems.
Research Background and Motivation
Robotics and automation technologies are rapidly transforming modern industries and reshaping the future of intelligent engineering systems. Advances in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), cyber-physical systems, intelligent sensing, and embedded control have significantly expanded the capabilities of robotic and automated systems, enabling greater autonomy, adaptability, efficiency, and precision. From smart manufacturing and logistics to healthcare, agriculture, transportation, and infrastructure monitoring, robotics-driven solutions are increasingly addressing real-world challenges while improving productivity, safety, and sustainability.
At the same time, emerging industrial and societal demands continue to motivate research into next-generation robotic systems capable of operating in dynamic and uncertain environments. Topics such as collaborative robotics, autonomous vehicles, intelligent control, smart sensing, human–robot interaction, digital manufacturing, and sustainable automation are attracting growing research attention. Challenges related to system reliability, real-time decision-making, energy efficiency, explainable intelligence, and seamless integration of hardware and software also create important opportunities for interdisciplinary innovation.
Against this rapidly evolving landscape, this Special Issue seeks to encourage cutting-edge contributions that explore emerging trends, novel methodologies, and practical applications in robotics and automation. Researchers are invited to share innovative theoretical, computational, experimental, and industrial studies that advance intelligent robotic technologies and inspire future developments in automated engineering systems.
Necessity and Significance of the Special IssueRobotics and automation technologies are rapidly reshaping modern engineering, manufacturing, healthcare, transportation, agriculture, and smart infrastructure. The growing integration of artificial intelligence, machine learning, industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), cyber-physical systems, and intelligent control has accelerated the development of autonomous, adaptive, and data-driven robotic systems. As industries increasingly demand higher precision, efficiency, sustainability, and operational safety, there is a strong need for innovative research that addresses emerging challenges and opportunities in robotics and automation. This Special Issue provides a timely platform for researchers and practitioners to explore advanced methodologies, intelligent systems, and real-world applications that push the boundaries of automation technologies. By promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and forward-looking research, the issue aims to stimulate scientific exchange and inspire novel solutions that contribute to the future development of intelligent robotic and automated systems.
Forward-Thinking Insights and Research Inspiration
The rapid evolution of robotics and automation is opening new possibilities for intelligent, adaptive, and sustainable engineering systems. As technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), cyber-physical systems, digital twins, and collaborative robotics continue to mature, future robotic systems are expected to become increasingly autonomous, data-driven, and capable of real-time interaction with dynamic environments. These developments are inspiring transformative applications across manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, transportation, logistics, and smart infrastructure.
Emerging research is shifting toward intelligent robotic systems capable of perception, autonomous decision-making, predictive control, human–robot collaboration, and self-optimization under uncertain conditions. At the same time, challenges related to safety, reliability, explainability, sustainability, energy efficiency, and seamless integration between hardware and intelligent control systems continue to stimulate new scientific questions and technological opportunities.
This Special Issue aims to inspire innovative and interdisciplinary research that explores the next generation of robotics and automation technologies. Researchers are encouraged to contribute forward-looking studies addressing intelligent manufacturing, autonomous systems, robotic manipulators, smart sensing, embedded automation, soft robotics, AI-enabled control, and Industry 4.0 applications. By bringing together theoretical advances, computational methods, experimental developments, and industrial practices, this Special Issue seeks to foster fresh perspectives and inspire future innovations that shape the intelligent engineering systems of tomorrow.
Proposed Research Topics (include, but are not limited to)
1. Fundamental theories, modeling, and mechanisms in the target research field
2. Advanced materials, systems, and engineering applications
3. Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data-driven approaches for system optimization and prediction
4. Smart manufacturing, digitalization, and intelligent engineering technologies
5. Computational modeling, simulation, and finite element analysis for engineering systems
5. Additive manufacturing and advanced fabrication technologies
6. Sensor technologies, monitoring systems, diagnostics, and predictive maintenance
7. Sustainability, energy efficiency, and environmentally responsible engineering solutions
8. Novel experimental methods, characterization techniques, and performance evaluation
9. Reliability, safety, risk assessment, and system resilience
10. Emerging interdisciplinary applications integrating materials, computation, and intelligent systems
11. Industrial case studies, real-world applications, and technology transfer practices
12. Optimization methods for engineering design, operation, and performance enhancement
13. Future trends, challenges, and opportunities in advanced engineering technologies
Guest Editors
Dr. Naveen Kumar
Affiliation: Department of Mechatronics Engineering Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon, India
Scopus：https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57281906800
ORCID：https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6918-4384
Email：kumarnaveenmkcoe@sanjivani.org.in
Timeline
Submission Opens: 21 May 2026
Submission Deadline: 31 December 2026
Editorial Process Timeline
Preliminary Review: 1 week
Peer Review: 4-6 weeks
Final Decision: 2 weeks
Authors are encouraged to submit their manuscripts through the journal's online submission system, adhering to the submission guidelines provided on the journal's website.
Submit Options
- OJS: https://ojs.wiserpub.com/index.php/EST/about/submissions
- Email: est@universalwiser.com
Contact for Inquiries
Dr. Naveen Kumar
Department of Mechatronics Engineering Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon, India
Email: kumarnaveenmkcoe@sanjivani.org.in
We look forward to your contributions to this endeavor!
Michelle Zu
Journal Coordinator
Email: est@universalwiser.com