Aims & Scope

npj Robotics considers research covering all aspects of the development, design, and real-world application of robots and robotic systems. Artificial intelligence fuels many of these advances and will reach its full potential when developed in synergy with a robot’s body, environment, and application.

The journal covers a broad range of topics including but not limited to:

  • Physical AI and the co-evolution of a robot’s body, control, morphology, actuation and sensory system to perform tasks that are typically associated with intelligent organisms (living machines)
  • Embodied intelligence, in which AI exploits properties of the body, environment, and the feedback loop of actions and sensory inputs
  • Bio-inspired learning methods ranging from evolution to unsupervised and self-supervised learning, from imitation and reinforcement learning to developmental learning, and from online to meta-learning and techniques that enable the capability of continuous learning.
  • Bio-inspired AI, such as insect-inspired algorithms for navigation or collective intelligence inspired by fish schools
  • Neuromorphic sensing, computing, and learning, enabling the deployment of a sustainable (energy efficient and fast) paradigm capable of adaptation and robustness to the ever-changing conditions of robots collaborating and interacting in unconstrained scenarios.
  • Bio-hybrid systems, which combine robotic systems with living tissues
  • Soft robotics, compliant designs, and studies of physical interaction with the world
  • Micro- and nano-robotics, both their design and autonomous control as an individual or as a swarm
  • Novel sensors, processors, and actuators designed for robotic application

The journal aims to stimulate multi-disciplinary research, bringing fields together such as robotics, AI, biology, mechanical engineering, and materials science. We expect this approach, which more tightly integrates body and intelligence design, to result in robots that are more efficient, effective, safer, and more robust when operating in the real world.

The journal offers more choice to Nature Portfolio authors who are seeking a fully open-access and more inclusive platform for publishing their work. The journal is led by robotics experts who collaborate to cultivate high-quality research. As part of the npj Series, this journal focuses on fostering global partnerships with the research community and other Springer Nature journals.