In an effort to provide a resource for potential buyers of machine vision, robotics and related automation technologies, the Robotic Industries Association and the Automated Imaging Association in Ann Arbor, Mich., have banded together to form an umbrella organization.He said investments of more than $2 billion per year are made in robotics and machine vision, with billions more in motion control, sensors and other factory automation technologies. Dubbed the Automation Technologies Council, the group will represent the interests of more than 340 companies in the industry. Charlie Duncheon, president of the Robotic Industries Association and chairman of the newly formed council, cited the need for a resource for manufacturing companies looking for more information about the robotics/machine vision industry. The council also will help to identify potential customers.