Optics, electro-optics and lasers as industrial fields have been growing rapidly. Computer-based equipment , mostly in softward and peripheral fields, has been developed and is widely used. Educational activities in schools are enhanced by a variety of computer-aided instructional systems, many of which have been developed for export. While some of Israel's software products are designed for use on mainframe computers, most have been developed for small or medium-sized systems such as computer workstations. Robotics , first researched in the late 1970S, is now producing robots designed to perform a wide variety of tasks, including diamond polishing, welding, packing, building and other industrial functions.
Research is now underway in the application of artificial intelligence to robots.
Aeronautics related to defense needs have generated technological development with consequent civilian spin-offs. The Arava, the first civilian aircraft to be produced in Israel, was followed by the Westwind executive jet. Recently, locally designed and manufactured satellites have been produced and launched by the Israel Aircraft Industries in cooperation with the Israel Space Agency. In addition, Israel develops, manufactures and exports a large number of related items, including display systems, aeronautical computers, instrumentation systems and flight simulators and is a world leader in the technology and production of drones.