A method of dispensing a substance in a form of a bead on a surface in a progression direction along a path, the method comprising: supplying the substance to a dispenser, wherein, while the substance is being dispensed, the dispenser comprises: a contact portion including two contact points (114, 116) with the surface, a leading edge, and a trailing edge extending between the two contact points (114, 116) and terminating therein; moving the dispenser along a virtual travel plane which is parallel to the path and passes through the two contact points (114, 116), while maintaining the contact portion of the dispenser in communication with the surface as the substance is being dispensed; monitoring a leading portion of the bead and generating a signal responsive to at least one characteristic of the leading portion, wherein the leading portion is located ahead of a portion of the leading edge in the progression direction along the path and wherein: the leading portion of the bead comprises a leading surface that includes a forward-most point in the progression direction along the path; the leading surface further comprises a first lateral-most point in a first virtual plane along the virtual travel plane and a second lateral-most point in a second virtual plane along the virtual travel plane; and the at least one characteristic of the leading portion includes a shortest lateral distance between a location on the dispenser and a third virtual plane parallel to the path, perpendicular to the virtual travel plane, and containing one of the first lateral-most point and the second lateral-most point; and controlling, responsive to the signal generated responsive to the at least one characteristic of the leading portion, at least one of a speed of the dispenser along the path or a flow rate of the substance to the dispenser to provide a substantially uniform cross-sectional shape of the bead along the path. supplying the substance to a dispenser, wherein, while the substance is being dispensed, the dispenser comprises: a contact portion including two contact points (114, 116) with the surface, a leading edge, and a trailing edge extending between the two contact points (114, 116) and terminating therein; a contact portion including two contact points (114, 116) with the surface, a leading edge, and a trailing edge extending between the two contact points (114, 116) and terminating therein; moving the dispenser along a virtual travel plane which is parallel to the path and passes through the two contact points (114, 116), while maintaining the contact portion of the dispenser in communication with the surface as the substance is being dispensed; monitoring a leading portion of the bead and generating a signal responsive to at least one characteristic of the leading portion, wherein the leading portion is located ahead of a portion of the leading edge in the progression direction along the path and wherein: the leading portion of the bead comprises a leading surface that includes a forward-most point in the progression direction along the path; the leading surface further comprises a first lateral-most point in a first virtual plane along the virtual travel plane and a second lateral-most point in a second virtual plane along the virtual travel plane; and the at least one characteristic of the leading portion includes a shortest lateral distance between a location on the dispenser and a third virtual plane parallel to the path, perpendicular to the virtual travel plane, and containing one of the first lateral-most point and the second lateral-most point; and the leading portion of the bead comprises a leading surface that includes a forward-most point in the progression direction along the path; the leading surface further comprises a first lateral-most point in a first virtual plane along the virtual travel plane and a second lateral-most point in a second virtual plane along the virtual travel plane; and the at least one characteristic of the leading portion includes a shortest lateral distance between a location on the dispenser and a third virtual plane parallel to the path, perpendicular to the virtual travel plane, and containing one of the first lateral-most point and the second lateral-most point; and controlling, responsive to the signal generated responsive to the at least one characteristic of the leading portion, at least one of a speed of the dispenser along the path or a flow rate of the substance to the dispenser to provide a substantially uniform cross-sectional shape of the bead along the path.