Machines Like Us

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. RIA estimates that more than 171,000 robots are now at work in U.S. factories, placing the U.S. second only to Japan in overall robot use. Worldwide, there are more than a million industrial robots in operation, Burnstein notes.

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.

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