The process of returning information about the output of a system.

Information returned from the output of a machine or process intended for use as output in subsequent operations or for purposes of automatic control. Feedback is positive or negative, depending on the sign with which a positive change in the original input reappears after transformation. Negative feedback is used for stabilisation, positive feedback can lead to instability.

The return of information from a manipulator or sensor to the processor of the robot to provide self-correcting control of the manipulator.

See Feedback Control and Feedback Sensor.