Purpose – Aims to describe how Japan sees robotics for the future based on the author's observation of robots displayed at the World Expo 2005. Design/methodology/approach – Visits with the Expo and the relevant symposium. Findings – Japan is convinced of the immense potential of the new...

Purpose – To present the technical and subsequent commercial developments arising from a large European research project into robotic paint‐spraying of low‐volume, highly variant components. Design/methodology/approach – Discusses the economic need for robots that can plan their own...

Purpose – To report on the design and development of a robotic palletizing system that handles both pails of lubricant as well as cardboard cartons or cases. Design/methodology/approach – The customer selected a material‐handling expert to design and install the system after reviewing the...

Purpose – Achieving natural interactions by means of vision and speech between humans and robots is one of the major goals that many researchers are working on. This paper aims to describe a gesture‐based human‐robot interaction (HRI) system using a knowledge‐based software platform....

Purpose – Aims to introduce a self‐adjusting robotic painting process for automotive fuel containers, capable of predicting the required correction action to avoid further defect production. Design/methodology/approach – Presents the development, testing and on‐site implementation of a...

Purpose – Aims to show how sensor networks can be used to effectively allow industrial robots to handle unpredicted movements within their workcells. Design/methodology/approach – Presents the concept of using sensor networks, using off‐the‐shelf technologies, to sense in real time...

Purpose – Aims to experimental determination of paint flow rate flux for elliptical paint sprays. Paint flow rate flux distribution is necessary for computer simulation of the spray painting process. Design/methodology/approach – Different painting strokes at different spray distances and...

Purpose – To demonstrate the feasibility of designing a versatile packaging machine for folding cartons of complex geometry and shapes. Design/methodology/approach – The research conducts study of cartons of different geometry and shapes classifying them in suitable types and operations that...