RCS was initially developed by Barbara et al. [4] to implement controllers for sensory-interactive robots. RCS enabled NBS robots to use visual feedback to acquire randomly oriented objects and pursue moving targets. During the early 1980s, RCS evolved into the
hierarchical shop control system architecture for the Automated Manufacturing Research Facility (AMRF)[5]. In the AMRF, RCS was implemented on the Horizontal Machining Workstation, the Cleaning and Deburring Workstation, the Material Handling workstation, and the Advanced Deburring and Chamfering System. During the late 1980s, RCS was developed into a control system for the DARPA Multiple Undersea Autonomous Vehicle program and was adopted by NASA for the Space Station Telerobotic Servicer. RCS was adopted by the U.S. Bureau of Mines as a control system for automated mining operations. At MartinMarietta, Barbera and Fitzgerald developed RCS for the Army TMAP unmanned vehicle. Later at Advanced Technology Research Corporation, Barbera and Fitzgerald used RCS to build an Automated Stamp Distribution Center and to design a General Mail Handling Facility for the U.S. Postal Service. Commercial versions of RCS are currently being used for controlling machine tools and laser cutting machines. RCS was adapted by General Dynamics Electric Boat as a control system for the next generation nuclear submarine. At NIST, RCS has been used for the Enhanced Machine Controller, the Next Generation Inspection System, the Automated Welding Manufacturing System, the RoboCrane, a computer controlled Man-Lift, and the NIST Unmanned Ground Vehicle [13]. Most recently, RCS has been adopted by the Army for the Demo III Experimental Unmanned Vehicle program [14]. RCS is currently under consideration for the Army’s Future Combat Systems program.