A method for harvesting follicular units from a body surface, includes
acquiring and processing images of a body surface to identify a
follicular unit on the body surface and to determine a relative position
and orientation of the identified folliculat unit; using an automated
system including a moveable arm to position a harvesting tool mounted on
the moveable arm adjacent the identified follicular unit, based at least
in part on processed image data, such that a longitudinal axis of the
harvesting tool is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the follicular
unit; and harvesting the follicular unit by movement of the harvesting
tool relative to the body surface, wherein the images are acquired from
one or more cameras mounted on the moveable arm.