This paper reviews the literature on the emerging digital technologies of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) focussed on the applicability of the Internet of Things (IoT), Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) in remanufacturing. Inspired by the frameworks developed to support exploration and realisation of I4.0 technologies for disassembly, the paper discusses the same emerging technologies in the wider context of remanufacturing. Trends and gaps have been identified from a value-creation perspective that encompasses the product to be remanufactured, the remanufacturing equipment and processes adopted and related organisation issues. Findings suggest there is a need to explore the connection of cyber-physical systems to the IoT to support smart remanufacturing, whilst aligning with evolving information and communication infrastructures and circular economy business models. The review highlights twenty-nine research topics that require attention to support this field.

The problem of determining energy optimal walking motions for a bipedal walking robot is considered. A full dynamic model of a planar seven-link biped with feet is derived including the effects of impact of the feet with the ground. Motions of the hip and feet during a regular step are then modelled by 3rd order polynomials, the coefficients of which are obtained by numerically minimising an energy cost function. Results are given in the form of walking profiles and energy curves for the specific cases of motion over level ground, motion up and down an incline, and varying payload.

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Remanufacturing has gained increasing attention due to its economic, environmental and societal benefits as well as its contribution to the sustainability of natural resources. Disassembly is the first and usually the most difficult process in remanufacturing a product. Disassembly sequence planning, which aims to find the optimal disassembly sequence, is required to improve efficiency and reduce cost. There have been many investigations in this field and several disassembly sequence planning methods have been developed. This article reviews the main existing disassembly sequence planning methods from the perspectives of disassembly mode, disassembly modelling and planning method. The characteristics of different methods are analysed and summarised from those perspectives. Future trends in disassembly sequence planning are also discussed to reveal gaps in existing research.