History of Robotics

Water Clocks

Jan 11, 1066

Su Song, a chinese inventor, created a clock powered by water that used mechanical figurines to chime the hours.

First Programmable Analog Computer

Jan 9, 1206

Abū al-'Iz Ibn Ismā'īl ibn al-Razāz al-Jazarī created the castle clock. It functioned as a water-powered astronomical clock, which has been called the earliest programmable analog computer.

Carillons

Jan 11, 1400

Automated carillons, or music boxes, begin to appear in the Netherlands.

Leonardo's Robot

Jan 9, 1495

Leonardo Da Vinci creates a robot that mimics an armored knight. It was named "Leonardo's Robot" and its internal mechanisms function like that of a real person.

AD 1500-1899

Period: Jan 1, 1500 to Dec 31, 1899

Gianello Torriano's robot

Jan 9, 1540

Gianello Torriano created a lady robot who played the mandolin. This served as easy entertainment for those in that era.

Jacques de Vaucanson's Duck

May 9, 1700

Jacques de Vaucanson created a mechanical duck. It was able to move its neck, flap its wings, and even swallow food.

Pierre Jaquet-Droz's Automata

Jan 9, 1770

Pierre Jaquet-Droz, a swiss watchmaker, teamed up with his son to create three robotic dolls. One can write, the other plays music, and the third one draws pictures.

Joseph Jacquard

Jan 9, 1801

Joseph Jacquard invents a textile machine called a programmable loom. It is operated by punch cards.

Nikola Tesla's Robots

Apr 9, 1890

Nikola Tesla created the first remote control vehicles. He is also known for his Tesla Coils, the radio and induction motors.

AD 1900-1999

Period: Jan 1, 1900 to Dec 31, 1999

Ford's Assembly Line

Jan 9, 1913

Henry Ford created the world's first assembly line. It used a conveyor belt and could assemble a Model T in 93 minutes.

Lilliput

Jan 9, 1932

The first true robot toy was produced in Japan. The ‘Lilliput’ was a wind-up toy which walked. It was made from tinplate and stood just 15cm tall.

Sparko the robot dog

Jan 9, 1939

Westinghouse unveiled two robot prototypes: a humanoid named Elektro and a dog named Sparko. Sparko was able to sit up and bark. That is so cool.

Heron of Alexandria

Jan 11, 1970

Heron of Alexandria was the earliest documented automata maker. He was a Greek mathemetician, physicist and engineer.

Honda's ASIMO

Jan 9, 1986

Honda created perhaps the best humanoid robot in the histroy of the world. It serves to fulfill the needs of average humans, especially those with disabilities

Lego Robots

Jan 9, 1998

Lego develops Robotics Invention System 1.0. It is named MINDSTORMS after the work of Seymour Papert in the 1980's.

AD 2000-

Period: Jan 1, 2000 to Dec 31, 2099

Sony Dream Robot

Jan 11, 2000

Sony created the Sony Dream Robot (SDR). It could recognize 10 different faces, express emotions, and walk on multiple surfaces.

Hero of Alexandria

Jan 11, 2000

Hero of Alexandria detailed several automata that were used in theater and for religious purposes. He also designed automata that opened the gates on hydraulic principles.

SSRMS

Jan 11, 2001

MD Robotics in Canada released the Space Station Remote Manipulator System. It was successfully launched and worked to assemble the International Space Station.

CyberKnife

Aug 9, 2001

The FDA cleared the CyberKnife for production in August. It was created to treat tumors anywhere in the body

Epsom Robot

Sep 9, 2004

The company Epsom created smallest known robot, standing 7cm high and weighing just 10 grams. The robot helicopter is intended to be used as a ‘flying camera’ during natural disasters.

HUBO

Jan 11, 2005

The korean Instititute of Science and Technology (KIST) created HUBO. It is linked to a comuter wirelessly that does all the thinking for the robot.