Is it Robotics?

Technically, robots are automated machines, normally computer controlled that are designed to mimic the functions, particularly the movements of a living organism so yes, these machines are industrial robots.

Can you be more specific on what you actually mean by "a branch of robotics or a stand alone branch"? Industrial robotics is definitely a different branch of robotics from the sort of robotics used to produce the toy robots popular in Japan.

No! I don't mean the toy robots at all. I'm referring to the machines that make and package products like in canning and bottling plants, food processing plants, automated assembly lines. These appear to be individual robotic devices combined into a much larger robot. Would you consider a robot as being any device that performs a task independent of human involvement (other than programming and maintenance)? Could a skate roller conveyor be considered a robot or part of a robot? Is robotics a stand-alone disipline or can it be broken down into individual disiplines, like electrical, mechanical, software? Robotics seems to be much too complex for any one individual to master. There are mechanical, electrical, chemical engineers involved in the development of a robot. Is there a robotic engineer?

I agree with post #3, but in defense of the robotics world, I would say any device created to do a repetitive function in the manufacturing world is a robot.

A set of wheels on a conveyor would not fit this roll.

Just watch any stock video of a manufacturing plant like a car manufacturer, you'll see hundreds of robots working without complaints.

I would prefer to refer to these things as 'automation' or 'automated processes'. The words 'robot' and 'robotics' have too many connotations to give a clear definition.