The paper describes the elements of a flexible assembly system which is being constructed to investigate methods of integrating robots within production systems. Also described are the features of ‘intelligent’ interfaces which have been designed to allow robots and machines to be linked, via a local area network, to supervisory computers. The interfaces are based on the ISO model of open-system connection and include MAP data packets so that they offer a standard and transferable solution to the problem of integrating computer-based shop-floor and management functions.