Robotics Industry Posts Second Best Year Ever

North American robotics industry posted its second best year ever in 2000 [Robotic Industries Association (RIA)]

RIA member companies reported 12,744 units booked for North American consumption during 2000, as well as an additional 1,583 orders for sales outside of North America.  Total orders were valued at $1.1 billion.  While bookings were 11% below the record year of 1999,

fourth consecutive year of sales exceeding one billion dollars. RIA estimates that some 110,000 robots are now at work in U.S. factories,

United States is world's second largest user of robotics, trailing only Japan.

Mechanics and Control of Mechanics and Control of Mechanical ManipulatorMechanical Manipulator

Position and Orientation (Pose)Position and Orientation (Pose) Frames {World}, {Wrist},{Tool}Frames {World}, {Wrist},{Tool}

Forward kinematicsForward kinematics Given the joint angles, where is the tool?Given the joint angles, where is the tool?

Inverse kinematicsInverse kinematics Given the pose of the tool, what joint angles are Given the pose of the tool, what joint angles are

required to get you there.required to get you there. On and Off-line programming and simulationOn and Off-line programming and simulation

Robot Manipulator Mechanics Robot Manipulator Mechanics (continued(continued))

Velocities, static forces, singularitiesVelocities, static forces, singularities DynamicsDynamics Trajectory generationTrajectory generation Manipulator design and sensorsManipulator design and sensors Linear position controlLinear position control Nonlinear position controlNonlinear position control Force controlForce control

Mobile RobotsMobile Robots

ArchitectureArchitecture NavigationNavigation SensingSensing PlanningPlanning Obstacle avoidanceObstacle avoidance