Reviews the work that Ford has done in partnership with robot companies to develop production‐quality force‐controlled robots. Reports on the first industrial application of a force‐controlled robot at a Ford transmissions plant. Identifies the applications for which force‐controlled...

Since 1984 the European Commission has funded research and technology development under a series of Framework Programmes which cover a four‐ to five‐year period and provide substantial opportunities for European collaboration for those subjects which fit current priorities. The mid‐point...

The introduction of laparoscopy in surgery offered clear advantages to patients. Surgeons, however, had to deal with various types of problems inherent to the essential differences in surgical approach. One of these problems, reduced dexterity, was solved at the end of the previous decade by the...

Reviews the new products and processes that were exhibited at the 2001 Hanover Industry Fair. Reports on new developments in machine vision and robotic technology and identifies a trend towards higher payload robots for automotive applications.