JESTIE Special Section on “Advanced Permanent Machines with Drives for Robotics and Electric Mobility”
Organized by: Prof. Hui Yang, Prof. Christopher H. T. Lee, Dr. Peng Peng, Dr. Yong Chen
The rapid advancement of robotics and electric mobility is driving critical demands on electromechanical actuation. These next-generation systems require motor-drive solutions that deliver not only exceptional efficiency and power density, but also expansive speed-torque characteristics, high dynamic response, and robustness under variable operating conditions. While permanent magnet (PM) machines remain the cornerstone of high-performance drives due to their mature design and superior torque capability, their performance in applications demanding extremely wide speed ranges or precise flux-weakening control faces inherent challenges. However, emerging topologies, such as flux-modulating, consequent-pole, axial flux, and dual-rotor PM machines, coupled with novel high-coercivity magnet materials, offer a complementary pathway to overcome these limitations. Concurrently, to fully realize their potential within next-generation motion systems, innovations in machine design must be systematically co-optimized with advanced drive architectures, intelligent control methodologies, and system-level energy management strategies. This Special Section focuses on recent breakthroughs and core challenges in machine design and driving technologies specifically for robotics and electric mobility. Key topics of interest include high-torque-density and high-speed machine designs, advanced power electronics for motor drives, multi-motor coordination and synchronization, thermal management under dynamic and extreme conditions, fault-tolerant and resilient operation, data-driven and AI-assisted optimization, and system-level energy management and integration. It aims to provide a timely forum for researchers to present cutting-edge work in motor topologies, drive and control systems, and intelligent integration, with a clear emphasis on robotic actuation, motion control, electric vehicle powertrains, and advanced mobility platforms.
This special session invites original manuscripts presenting recent advances in these fields with special reference to the following topics.
- Multiphysics design and analysis of axial flux and variable flux PM machines
- Lightweight high-torque-density PM motors for humanoid robot joints
- Coreless motor design for dexterous robotic hands
- Topology optimization of multiphase PM motors for robotics and electric propulsion
- Integrated co-design of motors and power electronics for robotics
- Multi-motor cooperative control for robots and distributed drives
- Online identification-based compensation for joint friction and system disturbance
- AI-based motor fault prediction and tolerant control for robotics and electric mobility
- High-fidelity motion control and dynamic response optimization for robotic drive systems
- Novel materials and manufacturing processes of PM machines for robotics and electric propulsion
- Vibration suppression and force control for robotic manipulation
- Wireless power transfer for robotic joint motor drives