Laboratory Robotics in Radiation Environments

systems, modify analytical procedures within established limits in order to restore analytical capability and, therefore, maintain productivity [2]. This paper, while reviewing progress in the introduction of robotics in the laboratory, will also illustrate the inclusion of various elements that are beyond the routine sample preparation operation in nature and which includes optimization of analytical conditions and referral to residing experts systems for decisions related to the next best test to perform [3]. It is true that 99% of current robot installations perform routine tasks which could be easily described by decision trees or flow programming. It is also true that robotic installations of the future, or broadly defined as simply the mass-moving component of current robotic systems, will make decisions based on intelligence bases which will involve an almost cybernetic or "clever" decision basis. Attempts to extrapolate current capability into future capability will be made.