This research will create an entirely new approach to application prototyping process modification and error recovery in manufacturing. Human supervisors will communicate with robots and other automated equipment like they might direct human subordinates-by pointing at locations while giving directives about objects and actions. This point-and-direct approach to manufacturing will allow new products to be introduced quickly and will lead to continuous manufacturing improvement. Changes and corrections will be made in nearly real-time. The development of a technology for remotely designating object orientation and position anywhere in an unstructured three-dimensional workspace is critical in realizing point-and-direct strategic control in manufacturing. This research in point-and-direct manufacturing will lead to the development of a novel manufacturing control technology where humans perform the task conception and scene interpretation functions for which they are well suited while machines perform the task execution function at which machines excel. Both small flexible enterprises, and large multiple-cell manufacturers will be able to use this control strategy to employ robots and other intelligent machines with greater ease.
