Book excerpt: This book presents a finite and instantaneous screw theory for the development of robotic mechanisms. It addresses the analytical description and algebraic computation of finite motion, resulting in a generalized type synthesis approach. It then discusses the direct connection between topology and performance models, leading to an integrated performance analysis and design framework. The book then explores parameter uncertainty and multiple performance requirements for reliable, optimal design methods, and describes the error accumulation principle and parameter identification algorithm, to increase robot accuracy. It proposes a unified and generic methodology, and appliesto the invention, analysis, design, and calibration of robotic mechanisms. The book is intended for researchers, graduate students and engineers in the fields of robotic mechanism and robot design and applications./div