Abstract: A robotic assembly system for the automatic assembly of a complex article such as a CRT display unit has a number of workstations positioned along an open conveyor system at each of which as assembly operation is performed by a conventional stand-alone robot.Each workstation is provided with a basic lift mechanism (36, 17, 21, 24, 28) which when operated lifts a pallet (4) supplied thereto from the relatively imprecise surface of the conveyor (1) into a predetermined horizontal plane above the conveyor where it is accurately located. A stand-alone robot, programmed to operate with reference to this constant datum position performs the assembly operation associated with that workstation. In order to assist the assembly operation, an air bearing table (17) is incorporated in the lift mechanism to provide the pallet, and any article carried by the pallet, with lateral compliance while held at the datum position.