The History of Robots and their Function

Hero of Alexandria

10

The Hero of Alexandria a Physicist and Engineer who wrote a book titled 'Automata' in Greek “moving itself” which is a collection of different devices which could have been used in temples. The Hero of Alexandria designed an odometer to be mounted on a cart and measure distances traveled. Among his other inventions are a wind- powered organ, animated statues and the Aeolipile. Although conceived simply as a trinket, the Aeolipile can be considered the forefather of modern steam engines.

First Programmable humanoid robots

1206

Al-Jazari's work focuses on fountains and musical automata. Al-Jazari created a musical automaton, which was a boat with four automatic musicians that floated on a lake to entertain guests at royal drinking parties. It has a programmable drum machine with pegs that bump into little levers that operated the percussion. The drummer could be made to play different rhythms and different drum patterns if the pegs were moved around. This was completes using hydraulic switching.

Designs for a humanoid robot

1495

Leonardo da Vinci designed what may be the first humanoid robot though it cannot be confirmed if the design was actually ever produced. It was named the 'Mechanical knight'. The robot was designed to sit up, wave its arms, and move its head via a flexible neck while opening and closing its jaw.

Digesting Duck

1738

Jacques de Vaucanson’s most famous creation was undoubtedly "The Duck." This mechanical device could flap its wings, eat, and digest grain. Each wing contained over four hundred moving parts and even today it remains something of a mystery. Experts call this robot a real 'game changer' in the world of automation.

Karakuri Toys

1800

One of his best known inventions was the yumihiki-dozhi, or “little archer”. A mechanical doll sitting on a platform, the yumihiki-dozhi shoots arrows at a target. The doll picks up an arrow, fits it into his bow, eyes the target, and then lets go. Programmed to hit the target three times out of four, the doll appears distraught when it misses, and seemingly smiles when the arrow is on target.

R.U.R

1921

The term "robot" was first used in a play called "R.U.R." or "Rossum's Universal Robots" by the Czech writer Karel Capek. The plot was simple: man creates a robot to replace him and then robot kills man.

Elektro

1940

Westinghouse creates 'Elektro' a human-like robot that could walk, talk, and smoke. Elektro was first unveiled at the 1939 and 1940 world’s fair.

Elsie & Elmer

1948

William Grey Walter created his first robots, Elmer and Elsie, also known as the turtle robots. The robots were capable of finding their charging station when their battery power ran low.

Unimate

1956

George Devol designed the first truly programmable robot and called it UNIMATE for "Universal Automation." Later, in 1956, George Devol and Joseph Engelberger formed the world's first robot company “Unimation”. Unimation is still in production today, with robots for sale.

Palletizer

1963

First palletizing robot.

Famulus

1973

In 1973, the KUKA robot group wrote their names into the history books as a robotics pioneer by developing Famulus, the world’s first industrial robot with six electromechanically driven axes.

Puma

1975

Victor Schenman developed the Programmable Universal Manipulation Arm called, Puma. It was widely used in industrial operations.