Brian Carlisle and Bruce Shimano, who founded Adept Technology Inc. of Livermore, Calif., in 1983, have left the company and launched Precise Automation in Los Altos, Calif. They plan to develop vision-guided robotic motion controllers with integrated motor drives for robots and other multiaxis precision machines in the electronics, semiconductor and life sciences industry, as well as mechanisms for materials handling and assembly in the life sciences and electronics.

Carlisle, who was CEO, and Shimano, who was vice president of research and development, at Adept, were instrumental in advancing the Puma precision assembly robot.