FLEXIBLE AUTOMATION – 21052
Flexible automation refers to the ability of a robot or system to do various tasks. To change from one task to another, a simple software change, or a change in the commands input to the controller, is all that is necessary. A simple example of flexible automation is a robot arm that can be programmed to insert screws, drill holes, sand, weld, insert rivets, and spray paint on objects in an assembly line.
As personal robots evolve, they become capable of doing many things on the basis of a single, sophisticated program. This is the ultimate in flexible automation, and can be considered a form of artificial intelligence (AI). The appropriate actions result from verbal commands. This necessitates speech-recognition capabilities, as well as considerable controller memory, speed, and processing power.
