Book excerpt: Robotics began as a science fiction creation which has become quite real, first in assembly line operations such as automobile manufacturing, aeroplane construction etc. They have now reached such areas as the Internet, ever-multiplying-medical uses and sophisticated military applications. Control of today's robots is often remote which requires even more advanced computer vision capabilities as well as sensors and interface techniques. Learning has become crucial for modern robotic systems as well. This new book brings together leading research in this exciting field.