Our final cover design was determined from a selection of multiple possibilities based on many well-known robot and 3D-printing laboratory findings. The image shows a human shaking hands with a robot in space, and symbolizes how robots will assist humanity in promoting economic and social development and creating a brilliant future. The robot arm shown in the image was designed and made by the 3D Printing Research Group of the University of Nottingham (image courtesy of the Science Museum/Science & Society Picture Library), thus representing the two special topics in the Research section of this issue—robots and 3D printing—and reflecting the intersection and integration of these two fields.