To fill a gap in the eco-techno literature, Michelini (DIMEC University of Genova, Italy) explores knowledge paradigms of the cognitive revolution as alternatives to the obsolete paradigms held
over from the industrial revolution, and provides recommendations on how to maintain sustainable economic growth through the use of robots. He first reviews the world's socio-techno-economic
history from the industrial age to the robot age, and looks at the shift from industrial to knowledge paradigms. In the next part of the book, he summarizes technical developments in robotics
and describes research from the Industrial Robot Design Group at the University of Genova, investigating current and future uses of robots in the manufacturing and service sectors. In the last
section, the author recommends forming new socio-political structures to usher in the age of robots. Some parts of the book, especially the final chapter, suffer from poor translation and
inconsistent punctuation. Annotation 穢2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
