Provides an introduction to the growing area of PA for a general readership

Presents recent research and specific and complex PA architectures for graduates and researchers

Includes a multidisciplinary spectrum of cognitive assistants interesting for anyone working in areas, such as applied sciences, computer science, medical, biomedical, healthcare and law

This book provides an overview of the current research in the interdisciplinary area of personal assistants (PA) and cognitively inspired systems.

It discusses the most relevant topics in this highly diversified domain, like reasoning, health, personalization, robotics, and ethical and social issues. Personal assistants (PA) are a relatively new concept directed at people with cognitive or physical disabilities, and is expanding to include complex platforms such as sensors, actuators, monitoring abilities and decision processes.

Designed for a general audience, it is also of interest to undergraduates, graduates and researchers involved with intelligent systems, ambient intelligence or ambient assisted living. The content goes from an introduction of the field (aimed at undergraduates and a general readership) to specific and complex architectures (aimed at graduates and researchers).