Programming of a virtual robot assisted by a neural network for manufacturing applications

This paper describes a framework for integrating Artificial Intelligence with a virtual environment for use in robotic manufacturing applications such as welding and grinding. The video image of a workpiece is mapped to a virtual space where the user can define a series of control points. A neural network then takes control and generates the manufacturing path. The virtual environment developed on a World Tool Kit software can be viewed using an immersive Head Mounted Display. The neural network assisted environment has the advantage that the user can concentrate on the tasks for which his or her skills are best suited, without getting involved in the tedium of the continuous telemanipulation of a robot.