feedback (robotics)

Some form of feedback is usually essential for both the accuracy and safety of robots. In highly controlled environments, such as production line, it may be possible to use open-loop control and simply have the robot do predetermined locations at specific places. However, if the environment is at all variable, or the robots actuators not entirely accurate, closed-loop control will ne needed using caners or other sensors.

For robot limbs, one often contrasts local feedback of the joint relatuve the robot body and global feedback relative to the external environment. Feedback also allows compliant motion, where the robot uses resistance in the environment to aud accurate positioning.