In the last 20 years, the number of publications has increased so dramatically that one is tempted to ignore them all rather than sift through myriad pages, gleaning substance from between the lines. So it is not surprising that my reaction to hearing that another periodical was making its debut was less than mild enthusiasm. Although keenly aware of the need for complete yet concise material on robotics, I could not help but think that this journal would be just another addition to the layers of shelf-cluttering, dust-gathering landfill which has overrun the markets in recent years. But the monrent I opened the cover, I realized that this magazine was unique, in that it ushered in a new era in man's history?the age of robotics.