Abstract: The subject invention is an optical detection assembly (26) for detecting dispensed material (28). The detection assembly (26) includes a housing (38) having a number of optical sensors (42) mounted to the housing (38). A material applicator (30) is mounted within a central opening (44) of the housing (38) and extends through the opening (44) such that the sensors (42) substantially surround the applicator (30) to continuously detect the material (28) being dispensed through the applicator (30). The subject invention also includes the method of detecting the material (28) being dispensed upon a workpiece (32) utilizing a robotic apparatus (20) having an articulated arm (24) with the housing (38) mounted to the arm (24).