Consortia: Free enterprise meets co‐operation and the results can be good for robots

A look at co‐operation in United States industry, with firms combining resources to develop, produce and market a product in an attempt to stay competitive whilst cutting the cost of developing new manufacturing technology. Outlines the formation of the National Centre for Manufacturing Sciences. Describes some typical NCMS projects and its education program. Explains Co‐operative Research and Development Agreements by which the government agrees to co‐operate on research with an industry partner by contributing any kind of resource [expertise, equipment, technology) except money. Lists some laboratories involved in robotics research and development and briefly describes their projects.