This work constitutes the presentations made at the Advanced Research Workshop on Autonomous Robotic Systems, held at the University of Coimbra in June 1997. The aim of the meeting was to bring together researchers in the area of autonomous systems for mobility and manipulation, and the aim of this book is to share the presentations with the reader. Topics include sensors and navigation in mobile robots, robot co-operation, telerobotics, legged robots, climbing robots and applications. Existing and emerging applications of autonomous systems are described, including applications in forestry, cleaning, mining, tertiary buildings, assistance to the elderly and handicapped, and surgery.