Remote sensing data has application in natural resource management and environmental monitoring and is used by professionals in the fields of, among others, oceanography, geology, agriculture and forestry. The intelligent systems community contributes technologies and software which support image collection and analysis, including sensors for image capture and image processing software. Sensors are integral components of many systems and support, among others, robotics, process control, and machine vision systems. Proximity sensors are used for collision avoidance and facilitate close proximity operation of remote manipulators. Tactile sensors expand the manipulative capability of robot arms and end-effectors.
Robotic systems perform physical manipulations loosely based on human abilities.
The first robot systems were implemented in the automotive industry, primarily to improve quality and productivity, and to lower the cost of production. Process control systems make use of intelligent systems technologies to optimize manufacturing processes. Process control and instrumentation systems rely on actuators, switches, analysers, controllers, optical and other sensors, and microcomputers. These systems are used to monitor and control the operation of process equipment, including heat exchangers, distillation columns, chemical reactors, injection molding machines, surge tanks, etc. The control systems measure key operating variables such as temperature, pressure, flow, colour, density, etc., and adjust the operating conditions to optimize efficiency.