Book excerpt: Biomechatronics is rapidly becoming one of the most influential and innovative research directions defining the 21st century. Biomechatronics provides a complete and up-to-date account of this advanced subject at the university textbook level. Each chapter is co-authored by top experts led by Professor Marko B. Popovic, researcher and educator at the forefront of advancements in this fascinating field. Beginning with an introduction to biomechatronics and its historical background, this book delves into the most groundbreaking recent developments in a wide variety of subjects, such as artificial organs and tissues, prosthetic limbs, neural interfaces, orthotic systems, wearable systems for physical augmentation, physical therapy and rehabilitation, robotic surgery, natural and synthetic actuators, sensors, and control systems. A number of practice problems and solutions are provided at the end of the book. Two years in the making, the book Biomechatronics is a result of dedicated work of a team of close to thirty contributors from all across the globe including top researchers and educators from the USA (Popovic, Lamkin-Kennard, Sinyukov, Troy, Goodworth, Johnson, Kaipa, Onal, Bowers, Djuric, Fischer, Ji, Jovanovic, Luo, Padir, Tetreault), Japan (Tashiro, Iramina, Ohta, Terasawa), Sweden (Boyraz), Turkey (Arslan, Karabulut, Ortes), Germany (Beckerle, Willwacher), New Zealand (Liarokapis), and Switzerland (Dobrev). - The only biomechatronics textbook written especially for students at a university level - Ideal for undergraduate and graduate students and researchers in the biomechatronics, biomechanics, robotics, and biomedical engineering fields - Provides an overview of state-of-the-art science and technology of modern day biomechatronics, introduced by the leading experts in this fascinating field