The emphasis of the journal Robotics and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing is on disseminating the application of research to the development of new or improved industrially-relevant robotics, manufacturing technologies, and innovative manufacturing strategies. Preference is given to papers describing original research that includes both theory and experimental validation. Comprehensive review papers on topical issues related to robotics and manufacturing will also be considered. Papers on conventional machining processes, modelling and simulation, supply chain management, and resource optimisation, will generally be considered out of scope, as there are other more appropriate journals in these areas. Overly theoretical or mathematical papers will be directed to other more appropriate journals as well. Original papers are welcomed in the areas of industrial robotics, human-robot collaborative manufacturing, cloud-based manufacturing, cyber-physical production systems, big data analytics in manufacturing, smart mechatronics, machine learning, adaptive and sustainable manufacturing, and other fields involving unique manufacturing technologies.

Special Issue on Generative Artificial Intelligence for Robotics and Smart Manufacturing
Submission Date: 2025-08-31

Demand for smart manufacturing and AI-enabled robots is at an all-time high as industries seek to improve operational efficiency, streamline repetitive tasks, and address workforce shortages. The rapid advancement of generative AI is set to transform robotics and manufacturing. These advanced AI technologies offer unprecedented capabilities in robot learning, perception, control, and interaction, paving the way for generalist robots with versatile skills. This allows modern AI robots to easily adapt, learn, and perform complex tasks.

Simultaneously, generative models and algorithms are being utilised to optimise manufacturing systems, drive industrial digitalisation, and enable advanced automation across manufacturing industries.

The objective of this special issue is to publish state-of-the-art and visionary research works on generative AI for robotics and manufacturing, including theoretical methods, technologies, case studies, and industrial applications.

Topics to be covered include, but are not limited to, the following:

    Generative AI for autonomous robotic systems
    Multi-agent reinforcement learning for robotics
    AI-powered industrial digitalisation and automation
    AI-driven bio-inspired robotics and locomotion learning
    Foundational models in robot learning and manipulation
    VLM/LLM-driven robotic manufacturing/assembly systems
    Data-efficient generative AI for robotics and manufacturing
    Robotic foundation models for general-purpose manipulation skills
    Human-robot collaboration/interactions enhanced by generative AI

Guest editors:

Sichao Liu
University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom

Yuejiang Liu
Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America

Yali Du
King's College London, London, United Kingdom

Alexandra Brintrup
University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom

Jianjun Wang
ABB Corporate Research, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America

Adam Sobey
The Alan Turing Institute, London, United Kingdom

Manuscript submission information:

Manuscript submission open date: 15 November 2024
Manuscript submission deadline: 31 August 2025

You are invited to submit your manuscript at any time before the submission deadline. For any inquiries about the appropriateness of contribution topics, please contact Dr. Sichao Liu via sichao.liu@mrc-cbu.cam.ac.uk.

Please refer to the Guide for Authors to prepare your manuscript, and select the article type of “VSI: AGI4RoboticsManufacturing” when submitting your manuscript online at the journal’s submission platform Editorial Manager®. Both the Guide for Authors and the submission portal could also be found on the Journal Homepage.

Keywords:

Generative AI; Robotics; Smart Manufacturing; Foundation Models; Human-Robot Collaboration; Robot Learning