USA Perspectives on the Integration of Robots into the Factory of the Future

Abstract

Industrial robots are essential components of the factory of the future (FOF). The demand for the use of robots stems from the potential for flexible, intelligent machines that can perform work in a repetitive manner at acceptable cost and quality levels. Initial use of robots has been for hazardous type applications, the primary ones being welding and spray painting. The industry most active in the application of robots is the automobile industry and there is great interest in applying robots to assembly operations and material handling. The most flexible robots are driven by computer-based control systems using mathematical algorithms. Emphasis is being placed on the development of sensors that can be integrated into work cells, allowing robots to exercise sensory capabilities similar to those of man.