Sixteen years after the publication of Robotics, a brand new textbook is finally out: Foundations of Robotics, co-authored by Bruno Siciliano and Luigi Villani from University of Naples Federico II with Giuseppe Oriolo and (new co-author) Alessandro De Luca from Sapienza University of Rome.

The book revisits the core pillars of robotics (modeling, planning, and control) according to a fully revised and expanded perspective. Topics once considered “advanced” are now part of the foundations, while new chapters introduce flexible-joint robots, cooperative manipulation and robotic hands.

For the traditional part, Prof. Siciliano remarks: “It has been conceived as a truly novel textbook. Every chapter has been revised, updated, and expanded. We have also restructured the introductory chapter to provide a broader and deeper coverage of what robotics is, what robots are, and how robotic systems are devised and employed.”

For the innovative part, Prof. Villani highlights: “The new topics presented in the book provide the foundations for advanced applications such as collaborative robotics, where flexible-joint robots operate safely alongside humans, and humanoid robotics, which focuses on the coordination of multiple robotic arms and the use of robotic hands for grasping and manipulation. These areas represent the forefront of modern robotics and support innovative solutions in industry, services, and research.”

With over 50 worked examples, more than 190 end-of-chapter problems, 5 appendices, and a solutions manual for textbook adopters, Foundations of Robotics aspire to become a key reference for undergraduate and graduate courses in engineering, following the successful footsteps of its predecessor in terms of academic adoptions world-wide.