Flat-pack heaven? Robots master task of assembling Ikea chair

Machines programmed by engineers in Singapore complete job in just over 20 minutes

Those who fear the rise of the machines, look away now. In a laboratory in Singapore two robots have mastered a task that roundly defeats humans every weekend: they have successfully assembled an Ikea chair.

Engineers at Nanyang Technological University used a 3D camera and two industrial robot arms fitted with grippers and force sensors to take on the challenge of building an 18 "Stefan" chair from the furniture company.