Looking for a better robot: visual robot control for cheap, flexible assembly

The paper first highlights the problems which are typically encountered when robotic automation is introduced. Following this, an approach based on the use of a computer vision system is outlined. This helps alleviate many of the problems, including the prohibitive cost of many robot solutions. Advances in hardware and software technology which have made this possible are described. The potential of the proposed approach has been proven using a cheaply constructed robot mechanism and computer vision system which is able to perform operations central to the production of printed circuit boards (PCBs). The techniques used for successful implementation are highlighted, along: with improvements which could be made. Consideration for the suitability of the approach to other robotic applications is given