Foreword

The conference, in its customary full name 2012 IEEE International Conference on Automation, Quality and Testing, Robotics - THETA 18^th edition, follows the tradition of the 17 automation and testing related scientific events, held in Cluj-Napoca since 1982 under the name THETA - Technologies and Automation Testing. The previous editions of the AQTR conference have enjoyed great success, demonstrating the importance of automation, quality, testing and robotics domains as part of continuously advancing technologies. A large variety of papers were presented, providing good opportunities for the participants to exchange ideas and share new advancements registered in the specific fields covered by the conference topics.