Annotation Automation is in the midst of a major transformation and expansion in scope and dimension, and plays an increasingly important role in the global economy as well as in our daily lives. Engineers combine automated devices with mathematical and organizational tools to create complex systems for a rapidly expanding range of applications and human activities. This handbook incorporates the newest developments and presents a wide ranging, well-structured exploration of emerging application areas of automation. Besides manufacturing as a primary application of automation, the handbook covers new application areas such as medical systems and health, transportation, security and maintenance, service, construction and retail as well as production and distribution logistics. The Springer Handbook of Automation is not only an ideal resource for automation experts, but also a quick introductory survey for people new to this expanding field, including engineers, medical doctors, computer scientists and designers in many industries. Advance praise for Springer Handbook of Automation 'This is an important and ambitious project, and will be of interest to those involved with the IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering. I think Shimon Nof is the perfect person for this job.' (Ken Goldberg VP Technical Activities IEEE Robotics and Automation Society, Chair of Advisory Board IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering).