"Manipulation" refers to a variety of physical changes made to
the world around us. Mechanics of Robotic Manipulation addresses
one form of robotic manipulation, moving objects, and the
various processes involved—grasping, carrying, pushing,
dropping, throwing, and so on. Unlike most books on the subject,
it focuses on manipulation rather than manipulators. This
attention to processes rather than devices allows a more
fundamental approach, leading to results that apply to a broad
range of devices, not just robotic arms. The book draws both on
classical mechanics and on classical planning, which introduces
the element of imperfect information. The book does not propose
a specific solution to the problem of manipulation, but rather
outlines a path of inquiry. About the Author Matthew T. Mason is
Professor of Computer Science and Robotics at Carnegie Mellon
University.