New Trends in Medical and Service Robots

Preface.- Part I Assistive and Rehabilitation Devices.- Study and choice of actuation of a walking assist device, by Y. Aoustin, C. Chevallereau and V. Arakalian.- Hybrid Adaptive Low Cost Support Device For FES Stroke Rehabilitation, by G. Cannella, D. S. Laila and C. T. Freeman.- Motion Control Algorithm of Walking Assist Machine Using Crutches to Achieve Variable Gait Style and Step Length, by D. Matsuura, R. Inose and Y. Takeda.- On developing lightweight robot-arm of anthropomorphic characteristics, by A. Rodic, B. Miloradovic, S. Popic and D: Urukalo.- Towards a natural interface for the control of a whole arm prosthesis, by G. Gini, P. Belluco and F. Mutti.- Design & Simulation of an Orthotic Device for Patients with Osteoarthritis, by D. Tarnita, M. Catana, N. Dumitru and D.N. Tarnita.- Kinematic and Dynamic Study Contributions on Human Jaw System, by N. Dumitru, C. Copilusi and M. Ciortan.- A Robotic Platform for Lower Limb Optical Motion Tracking in Open Space, by A. Ortlieb, J. Olivier, M. Bouri and H. Bleuler.- Part II Surgical Robotics.- Virtual Planning of Needle Guidance for a Parallel Robot used in Brachytherapy, by B. Gherman, T. Girbacia, D. Cocorean, C.Vaida, S. Butnariu, N. Plitea, D. Talaba and D Pisla.- Sensory subtraction via cutaneous feedback in robot-assisted surgery, by L. Meli, C. Pacchierotti and D. Prattichizzo.- Active Bending Electric Endoscope Using Shape Memory Alloy Wires, by T. Kobayashi, T. Matsunaga and Y. Haga.- Kinematic Analysis of Instruments for Minimally Invasive Robotic Surgery: Generalization of the Reference Task, by B. Deutschmann, R. Konietschke, C. Ott.- Third Arm Manipulation for Surgical Applica-tions: An Experimental Study, by E. Abdi, M. Bouri, S. Himidan, E. Burdet and H. Bleuler.- Robotic Surgical Approach in Limited Access Anatomical Areas, by N. Crisan, Iulia Pop and I. Coman.- Part III Educational and Service Robotics.-Ranger, an Example of Integration of Robotics into the Home Ecosystem, by F. Mondada,