How has robot use changed in the last 50 years?

Answer 1

Micro-controllers have given small projects much more flexibility, making robotic manipulators, sensors and other robotic devices much more useful.

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Having worked in car plants I have been able to see the work of large robots first-hand. Where workers used to have to put parts together and weld them manually, the operator now makes sure his machine is supplied with the necessary parts and the robot grabs one piece at a time, puts it in place, and welds it.

Anything that is bolted or screwed together is still generally done by hand with hydraulic or pneumatic tools. But a robot might lift, lower, or rotate a car to make it more comfortable, and therefore more productive, for the worker. -- Sparkfighter