Robotics time line

  • Colossus

    The Colossus, the first electric programmable computer developed by Tommy Flowers was first demonstrated in December 1943.
  • The transistor

    Bell labs created the transistor
  • The first electronic computer

    The first electronic computer is created in Japan by Hideo Yamachito.
  • First programmable robot arm

    George Devol and Joe Engleberger design the first programmable robot ‘arm’. This later became the first industrial robot, completing dangerous and repetitive tasks on an assembly line at General Motors (1962).
  • Spacewars

    Steve Russell created "SpaceWar!" and released it in February 1962. This game is considered the first game intended for computers.
  • Robot Soccer team

    On May 11, a computer built by IBM known as Deep Blue beat world chess champion Garry Kasparov. The first Robocup tournament is held in Japan. The goal of Robocup is to have a fully automated team of robots beat the worlds best soccer team by the year 2050.
  • Sony Robot Dog

    Sony releases the first version of AIBO, a robotic dog with the ability to learn, entertain and communicate with its owner. More advanced versions have followed.
  • Smallest robot

    Epsom release the 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.