A ROBOTIC VISION SYSTEM IS DISCUSSED WHICH REQUIRES MUCH LESS COMPUTATIONAL CAPACITY THAN MOST SYSTEMS. IT MAKES USE OF FIDUCIARY CODES STAMPED WITH DYES ON OBJECTS OF INTEREST IN THE WORK AREA. THE DYES WILL LUMINESCE UNDER EITHER ULTRAVIOLET OR INFRARED RADIATION. LUMINESCENT FIDUCIARY CODES IMPRESSED ON THESE OBJECTS ARE IDENTIFIED BY SUBTRACTING AN IMAGE OF THE SCENE WITHOUT THE CODES LUMINESCING FROM ONE WITH THEM LUMINESCING. INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS INCLUDE REAL TIME IDENTIFICATION, LOCATION OF, ORIENTATION OF COMPONENTS, AND LOCATION OF ROBOTS FOR VISUAL CLOSED LOOP CONTROL OF ROBOTS IN A MANUFACTURING OPERATION.