Design News Magazine has recently published an article on Force Control and Robotic Vision and how these systems can automate difficult assembly, machining and finishing tasks. ABB Robotics and KUKA Robotics Corp. utilize ATI's Six-Axis Force/Torque Sensors by adding sensor feedback to the robot's positioning, allowing the robot to search for the correct assembly position. Forces and torques are measured by the sensor at the wrist of the robot giving it a tactile sense of touch. These systems make it possible to automate tasks that previously required skilled personnel or complex assembly machines.

More information on ATI's Force/Torque Sensors can be found here.

Design News' article titled "Force Control and Machine Vision Guide Robots".