Meet the new robots

Although U.S. robot numbers are not yet measured in millions, the industrial automatons are nonetheless playing strategic roles in U.S. manufacturing competitiveness, says Jeffrey A. Burnstein, executive vice president, Robotic Industries Association.

To properly appreciate the value contribution of that installed base, consider that those mechanical workers are for the most part succeeding despite being blind, deaf and without a sense of touch.

But that's changing. For example, robotic vision and other intelligence features were strong trends at the recent RIA 2007 International Robots & Vision Show. One example is a new intelligent welding robot from Fanuc Robotics America Inc.

Read full story in Industry Week