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This research effort highlights emerging areas in the field of robotic polishing and includes an extensive literature survey conducted by the author. This survey shows that areas in need of further investigation for achieving automated polishing are surface measurement, CAD/CAM integration and polishing mechanics. The work conducted has been based on the use of an available robot end-effector for polishing unknown three-dimensional surfaces. A model for determining the mass of material removed during the polishing process is based on hardness testing, surface grinding and milling theory. Using this model the material removed during the polishing process is compared to results from practical experiments. Polishing trajectory for a robot-end effector to follow has been produced using CAD files in Initial Graphics Exchange Specification (IGES) format. Using these files and two types of polishing patterns, the surface roughness of polished surfaces has been compared for simple planar polygonal surfaces. / Master of Engineering (Hons)