
Academic Journal
Q1Science Robotics
About Science Robotics
Science Robotics is a scholarly journal published by American Association for the Advancement of Science. SCImago 2025 places it in Q1 with an SJR of 5.883 and an H-index of 143.
Its listed coverage is 2016-2026 and its research categories include Artificial Intelligence (Q1); Computer Science Applications (Q1); Control and Optimization (Q1); Mechanical Engineering (Q1). The 2025 dataset reports 130 documents and 6541 citations across the latest three-year reporting window.
Science Robotics is a leading peer-reviewed journal that publishes groundbreaking research and reviews in the rapidly evolving field of robotics. Launched in 2016 by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)—the publisher of the renowned journal Science—Science Robotics provides a trusted platform for high-impact research, fostering innovation across engineering, computer science, biology, and artificial intelligence.
Recognized as one of the most authoritative voices in the robotics community, Science Robotics covers the full spectrum of robotic systems, from theory and design to real-world applications in healthcare, industry, defense, and everyday life. The journal is aimed at a global audience, including academic researchers, robotics engineers, developers, entrepreneurs, and decision-makers.
Purpose and Mission
The mission of Science Robotics is to promote and disseminate state-of-the-art research that advances the understanding and capabilities of robotic systems. It aims to connect scientific discovery with real-world applications, emphasizing how robotics can solve pressing societal challenges and transform industries. The journal also highlights the role of robotics in improving human life, health, and productivity through automation and intelligent systems.
Key Areas of Focus
Science Robotics publishes original research articles, perspectives, reviews, and commentaries on a wide range of topics, including:
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Autonomous Robots
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Soft Robotics
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Medical and Surgical Robotics
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Bio-inspired Robotic Systems
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Wearable and Assistive Robotics
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Swarm and Collective Robotics
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AI Integration in Robotics
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Robotics in Agriculture and Environmental Monitoring
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Human-Robot Interaction
This broad scope allows the journal to cover both foundational theories and cutting-edge technologies, offering comprehensive insight into how robots are designed, built, and deployed.
Innovation and Interdisciplinarity
What sets Science Robotics apart is its commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration. Robotics is a convergence of multiple fields—mechanical engineering, computer science, neuroscience, materials science, and biology—and Science Robotics welcomes contributions that bridge these disciplines. This approach fuels innovation and leads to the development of next-generation robots with enhanced functionality, intelligence, and adaptability.
Global Impact and Recognition
Within a short time, Science Robotics has become one of the most cited and influential journals in its field. Its high impact factor reflects the journal’s commitment to excellence, quality, and relevance. Articles published in Science Robotics often gain visibility not only in academic circles but also in mainstream media, policy discussions, and industrial R&D sectors.
Accessibility and Submissions
Science Robotics is available online through the Science website, offering open-access options for selected articles to increase reach and visibility. The journal maintains a rigorous peer-review process, ensuring each article meets the highest standards of scientific integrity and innovation.
Authors interested in submitting to Science Robotics can find detailed guidelines and editorial policies on the journal’s official submission portal.
Journal Metrics
Metrics can change by reporting year. Verify time-sensitive values with the publisher or indexing service.
Aims & Scope
Science Robotics is a premier peer-reviewed journal published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), dedicated to the latest advancements and innovations in robotics. The journal’s comprehensive scope reflects the interdisciplinary nature of robotics, covering a wide array of topics that span science, engineering, artificial intelligence, and human-centered design. As one of the top journals in its field, Science Robotics aims to publish high-impact research that pushes the boundaries of what robots can do in both theory and application.
Broad and Interdisciplinary Research Coverage
The scope of Science Robotics encompasses the entire robotics ecosystem, including the design, development, control, and real-world application of robotic systems. It serves as a platform for research that integrates mechanical systems, electronics, software, sensors, and intelligent algorithms.
Key areas within the journal's scope include:
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Autonomous Robots: Research on self-navigating robots, mobile platforms, and drones that operate independently in dynamic environments.
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Bio-inspired and Soft Robotics: Studies that draw inspiration from biology to develop flexible, adaptive, and soft-bodied robots.
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Medical and Surgical Robotics: Innovations in robotic systems designed for diagnostics, minimally invasive surgery, rehabilitation, and patient care.
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Human-Robot Interaction (HRI): Exploration of how humans and robots interact physically, cognitively, and socially in shared environments.
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Swarm and Multi-Robot Systems: Research on collective robotics and the coordination of multiple autonomous agents for complex tasks.
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Wearable and Assistive Robotics: Development of robotic exoskeletons, prosthetics, and devices that enhance human capabilities or support people with disabilities.
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Robotics for Space, Ocean, and Harsh Environments: Advanced systems built to perform in extreme or remote settings, such as deep-sea exploration or planetary missions.
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AI and Machine Learning in Robotics: Integration of artificial intelligence to improve robotic perception, learning, adaptation, and decision-making.
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Agricultural and Environmental Robotics: Automation in farming, conservation, and environmental monitoring through advanced robotic technologies.
Methodological Diversity
Science Robotics supports a wide range of research methodologies, including:
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Experimental validation
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Theoretical modeling
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Computational simulations
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System integration and prototyping
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Field trials and real-world testing
This methodological inclusivity ensures the journal remains relevant to both academic and applied research communities.
Focus on Real-World Impact
Beyond theoretical innovation, the journal emphasizes practical applications and real-world relevance. Articles often highlight how robotics can address societal challenges in healthcare, industry, transportation, disaster response, and more. Research that contributes to sustainable development, improved quality of life, and technological progress is highly encouraged.
Global and Multidisciplinary Perspective
The journal welcomes submissions from diverse fields and global contributors, reflecting the worldwide and cross-disciplinary nature of robotics. Collaboration between engineers, computer scientists, biologists, clinicians, and cognitive scientists is at the heart of many featured studies.
Recent Research Articles
Latest publications matched automatically by ISSN.
Robot in a crib: How a playing robot helps us understand sensorimotor contingency learning
Josua Spisak, Sergiu Tcaci Popescu, Lukas Rustler, Stefan Wermter et al.
2026-08-26 · DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.aed4106From acrobatics to generality: Humanoid robots at an inflection point
Hae-Won Park
2026-08-26 · DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.aek7970BeyondMimic: From motion tracking to versatile humanoid control via guided diffusion
Qiayuan Liao, Takara E. Truong, Xiaoyu Huang, Yuman Gao et al.
2026-08-26 · DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.adx8924Convergent binocular stereo: Depth perception for humanoid robot vision
Mingshi Chi, John K. Tsotsos
2026-08-26 · DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.aec7205Learning vision-driven reactive soccer skills for humanoid robots
Yushi Wang, Changsheng Luo, Penghui Chen, Jianran Liu et al.
2026-08-19 · DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.aed1152Are humanoid robots in 2035 more fiction than science?
Robin R. Murphy
2026-08-19 · DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.aek6923Evolution of humanoid locomotion control
Yan Gu, Guanya Shi, Fan Shi, I-Chia Chang et al.
2026-08-19 · DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.aed3973Physical AI is enabled by mechanical hardware
Jonathan Hurst
2026-08-12 · DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.aee2921ZEST: Zero-shot embodied skill transfer for athletic robot control
Jean Pierre Sleiman, He Li, Alphonsus Adu-Bredu, Robin Deits et al.
2026-08-12 · DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.aec7695SONIC: Supersizing motion tracking for natural humanoid whole-body control
Zhengyi Luo, Ye Yuan, Tingwu Wang, Chenran Li et al.
2026-08-12 · DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.aed4592Ultra-wideband radar to measure in vivo muscle forces
Christopher S. Bird, Antonio P. L. Bo, Wei Lu, Taylor J. M. Dick et al.
2026-07-29 · DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.aed5865Is a robot a tool or an agent?
Robin R. Murphy
2026-07-29 · DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.aej9331Advances, challenges, and opportunities for legged robots
Jonas Frey, Matías Mattamala, Hae-Won Park, Mayank Mittal et al.
2026-07-29 · DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.aee0787Multilevel dynamics of the brain, hormones, mind, and behavior in social human-robot interaction
Yigit Topoglu, Frank Krueger, Shawn Joshi, Nina Rothstein et al.
2026-07-29 · DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.aec1762Toward measurement of muscle forces during movement
Tian Tan, McKenzie S. White, Scott L. Delp
2026-07-29 · DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.aej8562Bioinspired multimodal robotics
Ziyu Ren, Youning Duo, Haoyuan Xu, Yihui Zhang et al.
2026-07-22 · DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.aea7639Beyond imitation: Robots that learn to work in the real world
Johannes A. Stork
2026-07-22 · DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.aei2397Performant robotic manipulation with real-world reinforcement learning
Kun Lei, Huanyu Li, Dongjie Yu, Zhenyu Wei et al.
2026-07-22 · DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.aed6267Agile perceptive multiskill locomotion for quadrupedal robots in the wild
Jun-Gill Kang, Jaehyun Park, Tae-Gyu Song, Joon-Ha Kim et al.
2026-07-15 · DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.adz7397Erratum for the Research Article “Observing a robot peer’s failures facilitates students’ classroom learning”
2026-07-15 · DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.aej7903Reviews
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Version History
April 19, 2025 at 4:47 pm
April 19, 2025