Experiments in visually controlled flexible automation

The state of the art in computing, artificial intelligence and mechanical handling is such that a new form of automation ¿ Flexible Automation ¿ in which the system can modulate its actions to suit the environment as observed, is just becoming a practical possibility. An outline of a possible structure and capability of such systems is given, together with a description of some on-going work at Philips Research Laboratories employing television cameras and other sensors. A brief indication is given of those technique areas in which current knowledge is barely adequate for the needs of flexible automation.