The future of sensors for intelligent machine control

Abstract

The progress made towards solving the problem of applying robotics for small and medium batch production since 1960s has been very limited. By analysing the strengths and weaknesses of robot technology some practical rules for robotic application have been previously developed by the author. These 'laws' are further considered within the context of the needs of 'sensory' systems as an aid to robotic machinery in order to throw some light on the following: (a) the future practical architecture of robotic an sensor systems and (b) the direction for research and development to take. Most problems are concerned with the better structuring of material and component flow to and from a robotic workstation and the reduction of unstructured variability at the workplace. This is to enable sensors to be applied in a viable commercial manner.