Joaquim A. Batlle is Emeritus Professor of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC). He is a Member of the Royal Academy of Sciences and Arts of Barcelona. Ana Barjau Condomines is Associate Professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC).
'The Rigid Body Kinematics book by Batlle and Barjau presents the concepts of kinematics for points, rigid bodies and multibody systems with a depth and thoroughness which is not common in textbooks nowadays. This is a very good text for readers who look for a very solid foundation on their understanding of kinematics. The language is accessible and the quiz questions included are a good and quick way for the reader to test their understanding of each chapter.' Alba Perez Gracia, Polytechnic University of Catalonia 'Rigid Body Kinematics provides a clear and comprehensive account of the kinematics of rigid bodies in three-dimensional space, built from the ground up. It doesn't cut corners nor shies away from difficult topics: if you need a thorough understanding of how to analyze the movement of mechanical systems, this is your book. Its content has been honed by decades of continuous improvement. It was foundational for those of us lucky enough to be exposed to it by Professors Batlle and Barjau, providing many pleasant aha! moments when it made many previously disjoint ideas fit into a beautiful coherent whole.' Juan Reyero, Thestarmaps.com 'I've been following the authors' teaching practices and materials since I started teaching mechanics to future engineers more than 30 years ago. This is a nicely updated English translation of the authors' teaching materials developed along an entire life devoted to the teaching of mechanics of particles and rigid bodies. With a rigorous but clear style, the book tenderly covers all the relevant kinematics concepts required for engineers at different levels, paving the ground for an advanced dynamics course. Plenty of inspiring examples and exercises, it uses a clear and explicit notation and language. I found this style inspiring in my multibody dynamics teaching practice. Definitely, my first choice as a teaching reference book.' Javier Ros, Public University of Navarre (UPNA) 'Rigid Body Kinematics is ... very original in the way in which its relevant principles are presented. An essential textbook for engineering students. The originality of the [book] is in the applications it makes of the fundamental principles of Classical Mechanics to practical cases. It is beautifully illustrated with realistic schemes, [and with] clear and easily understandable text...' Maria Rosario Isabel Lopez Hermoso, University of Barcelona