PREFACEThe CISM-IFToMM Ro.Man.Sy Symposia have played a dynamic role in the development of the theory and practice of robotics. The proceedings of the thirteenth symposia present world view of the state of the art. in Zakopane, Poland was attended by 74 participants from 15 countries. The proceedings of this thirteenth edition of Ro.Man:Sy focus mainly on problems of mechanical engineering and control. In his opening lecture B. Roth presented an overview of the theoretical basis for the mechanical aspects of robot design. In his general lecture M. Vukobratovic discussed theory and practice of new frontiers of robotics.The 50 regular papers included in this volume illustrate significant contribution in mechanics ( 13 papers), motion control (7), synthesis and design (8), legged locomotion (1 1), sensing and machine intelligence (2), applications (5) and biomechanical aspects of robots and manipulators (4). They appear here in the order and form in which they were presented during the symposium.