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The purpose of this paper is to review development of the non‐rigid robot alternative to the fixed axis robot designs.

In‐depth interviews with the developer of the snake arm style robot and study of various applications employing this robot configuration.

Rigid robot configuration no longer limits the applications to which robotics can be applied. The flexible snake‐like approach opens doors to applications previously not possible with fixed axis type robots.

Users and integrators will learn how to rapidly apply the snake arm approach in an ever‐growing array of successful applications.

Users and integrators will gain insight into how to solve application needs that previously could not be successfully addressed with rigid axis style robots, opening the door to applications where very flexible reaching is essential.

The aim of this study is to create a robust and simple collision avoidance approach based on quaternion algebra for vision-based pick and place applications in manufacturing industries, specifically for use with industrial robots and collaborative robots (cobots).

In this study, an approach based on quaternion algebra is developed to prevent any collision or breakdown during the movements of industrial robots or cobots in vision system included pick and place applications. The algorithm, integrated into the control system, checks for collisions before the robot moves its end effector to the target position during the process flow. In addition, a hand–eye calibration method is presented to easily calibrate the camera and define the geometric relationships between the camera and the robot coordinate systems.

This approach, specifically designed for vision-based robot/cobot applications, can be used by developers and robot integrator companies to significantly reduce application costs and the project timeline of the pick and place robotics system installation. Furthermore, the approach ensures a safe, robust and highly efficient application for robotics vision applications across all industries, making it an ideal solution for various industries.

The algorithm for this approach, which can be operated in a robot controller or a programmable logic controller, has been tested as real-time in vision-based robotics applications. It can be applied to both existing and new vision-based pick and place projects with industrial robots or collaborative robots with minimal effort, making it a cost-effective and efficient solution for various industries.

This paper reports a few results of an ongoing research project that aims to explore ways to command an industrial robot using the human voice. This feature can be interesting with several industrial, laboratory and clean‐room applications, where a close cooperation between robots and humans is desirable.

A demonstration is presented using two industrial robots and a personal computer (PC) equipped with a sound board and a headset microphone. The demonstration was coded using the Microsoft Visual Basic and C#.NET 2003 and associated with two simple robot applications: one capable of picking‐and‐placing objects and going to predefined positions, and the other capable of performing a simple linear weld on a work‐piece. The speech recognition grammar is specified using the grammar builder from the Microsoft Speech SDK 5.1. The paper also introduces the concepts of text‐to‐speech translation and voice recognition, and shows how these features can be used with applications built using the Microsoft.NET framework.

Two simple examples designed to operate with a state‐of‐the‐art industrial robot manipulator are then built to demonstrate the applicability to laboratory and industrial applications. The paper is very detailed in showing implementation aspects enabling the reader to explore immediately from the presented concepts and tools. Namely, the connection between the PC and the robot is explained in detail since it was built using a RPC socket mechanism completely developed from the scratch.

Finally, the paper discusses application to industrial cases where close cooperation between humans and robots is necessary.

The presented code and examples, along with the fairly interesting and reliable results, indicate clearly that the technology is suitable for industrial utilization.

The purpose of this paper is to review the International Manufacturing Technology Show in Chicago with emphasis on new innovative robot applications on display.

In‐depth interviews with exhibitors of robots as well as system integrators who apply robots to specific categories of applications.

Robots are becoming smarter with more integrated capabilities such as vision and autonomous part picking from random bin locations. They are becoming more economical, faster and more application specific. Robot system integrators are creating more efficient solutions for customers to consider.

The paper suggests that users who investigated robot solutions in the past and found they did not meet applications requirements may want to revisit robotics and see what is new. Robot makers are making them faster, smarter and more adaptable than ever before. Today's robotic solutions can better address application needs in a more cost‐effective manner than ever before.

Industrial robots have become an accepted form of automation for many companies in Western Europe. The multi robot car assembly line is now the rule rather than the exception and this type of application has advanced the state of acceptance of robots as a viable form of automation. But what is the future in other areas and is the industrial robot an economic proposition in less glamorous areas? A recent visit to Sweden, with a few calls in West Germany, revealed a surprisingly wide range of applications for the industrial robot and none more so than in the production work shops of the robot manufacturers themselves. In Sweden high wage rates and strict laws on health and safety at work provide the type of incentive that is conducive to investments in robot automation. But even in this environment robots have to work hard to be economic. They invariably work on two or three shifts and in many applications perform numerous tasks.

The purpose of this paper is to review the biannual Robot Show in Chicago with emphasis on innovative robot applications on display.

The approach takes the form of in‐depth interviews with exhibitors of robots as well as system integrators who apply robots to specific categories of applications.

Robots are rapidly moving from the industrial environment into all types of service applications. They are also becoming more autonomous, more mobile, finding their own way and delivering critical loads in office, hospital, and laboratory settings and even providing security functions.

Users who investigated robot solutions in the past and found that they did not meet applications requirements may find it is time to revisit robotics. Robot builders and system integrators are providing more suitable solutions that can better address application needs in a more cost‐effective manner than ever before.

Robots for non‐industrial applications are receiving lots of attention. Many first time exhibitors at the recent biannual Robot Show featured units for personal service, healthcare, and other non‐industrial applications.

The purpose of this paper is to review the dramatic entry of collaborative robotics into applications. It also examines the current state of the art for collaborative robotics, factors driving their entry and their outlook for the future.

The paper includes discussions with key managers of robot companies. Attendance at the International Federation for Robotics round table discussion on collaboration and another industry round table meeting on collaborative robotics. Attendance at the CIRP technical conference on automation. Attendance at the Robotics Industry Association International Collaborative Robots Workshop.

Collaborative robotics are addressing many previously unmet applications while saving money, improving productivity, simplifying programming and speeding the time to return investment. It is forecast that collaborative robotics systems can address almost 100 million assembly and logistics tasks not previously addressable with traditional robotics technology.

The paper implies a major examination of collaborative robot technology now and in the future. Readers may be very excited to learn the many new tasks that collaborative robots are addressing, the many tools that have been developed to aid in selecting, designing and gaining worker acceptance and the many unique benefits that are provided, as well as the systems already available.

The paper implies a major examination of collaborative robot technology now and in the future. Readers may be very excited to learn the many new tasks that collaborative robots are addressing, the many tools that have been developed to aid in selecting, designing and gaining worker acceptance and the many unique benefits that are provided, as well as the systems already available.

This paper aims to present a review of the NPE 2006, Plastics Show held in Chicago, IL with emphasis on robots, their application in the plastics industry and end‐of‐arm‐tooling.

In‐depth interviews with suppliers of robots, injection molding machines, system integration of robots into plastic processing applications, control suppliers and end‐of‐arm‐tooling.

The plastic injection molding industry is moving to production cells with heavy usage of robot machine tending. The need for very short cycle times drives the interest in very fast agile robots with the ability to integrate easily into the production cell approach. New technologies such as in mold labeling also drive the need for suitable robots and competent system integrators to supply successful systems.

Robot builders need to continue to develop specialized robots and tooling to match with advancements in applications in the plastic industry. Users will need to think of robots as a necessary adjunct to any injection molding application.

Presents a review of the NPE 2006, Plastics Show, Chicago, IL, with emphasis on robots, their application in the plastics industry and end‐of‐arm‐tooling.

The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of present‐day and anticipated future applications of robots in the food industry.

The paper discusses the use of robots in the agriculture and farming, processing and packaging and retail sectors of the industry. Examples are given of specific applications and development activities.

Robots are being developed for many agriculture and farming applications but with the exception of milking robots, most still remain at the research/prototype stage. Food processing and packaging is the best developed sector of the industry and most uses entail picking, packing and palletising, although meat cutting is a growing application. Robots are few in the food retail sector although a number of innovative, niche products have recently been launched.

This paper reviews the use of robots throughout the food chain and considers possible future applications.

A new robot system has been industrially developed for applications far beyond materials handling. The combination of CNC‐microcomputer control, all‐electrical DC‐drives, and a new geometry, results in a robot with unusually high programmability, accuracy and compactness. The robot is currently installed in industry doing both materials handling, precision arc welding, grinding, polishing and castings deburring and cleaning. The concept is presented, and some industrial applications are demonstrated where the robot welds and does complete steel parts finishing including sanding and polishing. One ASEA robot application is presented where the robot is doing a superior job of castings cleaning and deburring at a major Swedish foundry.