ROBOTICS - Mechanized human-like figures date back to ancient times to Greece. The concept of an artificial man is found in works of fiction since the early 19th century. Despite these initial thoughts and representations, the dawn of the robotic revolution began in earnest in the 1950s. George Devol invented the first digitally operated and programmable robot in 1954. This ultimately laid the foundation of the modern robotics industry. Around 270 B.C. an ancient Greek engineer named Ctesibius made water clocks with automatons or loose figures. Greek mathematician Archytas of Tarentum postulated a mechanical bird he called "The Pigeon" which was propelled by steam. Hero of Alexandria (10–70 AD) made numerous innovations in the field of automata, including one that allegedly could speak. In ancient China, an account about an automaton is found in the text, written in the 3rd century BC, in which King Mu of Zhou is presented with a life-size, human-shaped mechanical figure by Yan Shi, an "artificer." With the rise of the computer industry, the technology of computers and robotics came together to form artificial intelligence; robots that could learn. Commercial and industrial robots are now in widespread use performing jobs more cheaply or with greater accuracy and reliability than humans.

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Robotics

Who Pioneered Robotics?

A Historical Timeline About Robotics

By Mary Bellis

We have evidence that mechanized human-like figures date back to ancient times to Greece.

The concept of an artificial man is found in works of fiction since the early 19th century.

Despite these initial thoughts and representations, the dawn of the robotic revolution began in earnest in the 1950s.

George Devol invented the first digitally operated and programmable robot in 1954.

This ultimately laid the foundation of the modern robotics industry.

Earliest History

Around 270 B.C. an ancient Greek engineer named Ctesibius made water clocks with automatons or loose figures.

Greek mathematician Archytas of Tarentum postulated a mechanical bird he called "The Pigeon" which was propelled by steam.

Hero of Alexandria (10–70 AD) made numerous innovations in the field of automata, including one that allegedly could speak.

In ancient China, an account about an automaton is found in the text, written in the 3rd century BC, in which King Mu of Zhou is presented with a life-size, human-shaped mechanical figure by Yan Shi, an "artificer."

Robotics Theory and Science Fiction

Writers and visionaries envisioned a world including robots in daily life.

In 1818, Mary Shelley wrote "Frankenstein," which was about a frightening artificial lifeform come to life by a mad, but brilliant scientist, Dr. Frankenstein.

Then, 100 years later Czech writer Karel Capek coined the term robot, in his 1921 play called "R.U.R." or "Rossum's Universal Robots."

The plot was simple and terrifying; the man makes a robot then robot kills a man.

In 1927, Fritz Lang's "Metropolis" was released. The Maschinenmensch ("machine-human"), a humanoid robot, was the first robot ever to be depicted on film.

Science fiction writer and futurist Isaac Asimov first used the word "robotics" in 1941 to describe the technology of robots and predicted the rise of a powerful robot industry.

Asimov wrote "Runaround," a story about robots which contained the "Three Laws of Robotics," which centered around Artificial Intelligence ethics questions.

Norbert Wiener published "Cybernetics," in 1948, which formed the basis of practical robotics, the principles of cybernetics based on artificial intelligence research.

First Robots Emerge

British robotics pioneer William Grey Walter invented robots Elmer and Elsie that mimic lifelike behavior using elementary electronics in 1948.

They were tortoise-like robots that were programmed to find their charging stations once they started running low on power.

In 1954 George Devol invented the first digitally operated and a programmable robot called the Unimate.

In 1956, Devol and his partner Joseph Engelberger formed the world's first robot company.

In 1961, the first industrial robot, Unimate, went online in a General Motors automobile factory in New Jersey.

Timeline of Computerized Robotics

With the rise of the computer industry, the technology of computers and robotics came together to form artificial intelligence; robots that could learn.

The timeline of those developments follows:

Year Robotics Innovation 1959 Computer-assisted manufacturing was demonstrated at the Servomechanisms Lab at MIT 1963 The first computer-controlled artificial robotic arm was designed. The "Rancho Arm" was created for physically disabled people. It had six joints that gave it the flexibility of a human arm. 1965 The Dendral system automated the decision-making process and problem-solving behavior of organic chemists. It used artificial intelligence for identifying unknown organic molecules, by analyzing their mass spectra and using its knowledge of chemistry. 1968 The octopus-like Tentacle Arm was developed by Marvin Minsky. The arm was computer controlled, and its 12 joints were powered by hydraulics. 1969 The Stanford Arm was the first electrically powered, computer-controlled robot arm designed by mechanical engineering student Victor Scheinman. 1970 Shakey was introduced as the first mobile robot controlled by artificial intelligence. It was produced by SRI International. 1974 The Silver Arm, another robotic arm, was designed to perform small-parts assembly using feedback from touch and pressure sensors. 1979 The Standford Cart crossed a chair-filled room without human assistance. The cart had a tv camera mounted   on a rail which took pictures from multiple angles and relayed them to a computer. The computer analyzed the distance between the cart and the obstacles.

Modern Robotics

Commercial and industrial robots are now in widespread use performing jobs more cheaply or with greater accuracy and reliability than humans.

Robots are used for jobs which are too dirty, dangerous or dull to be suitable for humans.

Robots are widely used in manufacturing, assembly and packing, transport, earth and space exploration, surgery, weaponry, laboratory research and mass production of consumer and industrial goods.

Mary Bellis

Inventions Expert

Introduction

New York-based film producer and director

Singled out by Forbes magazine for her writing on inventors. 

Known in art and independent film circles by the name CalmX

Creator of computer-generated art

Experience

Mary Bellis was a former writer for ThoughtCo, where she covered inventors for 18 years. She was a freelance writer, film producer, and director.  In addition, Forbes Best of the Web credited her for creating the number one online destination for information about inventors and inventions. Her writing has been reprinted and referenced in numerous educational books and articles. She was known for her short independent  films and documentaries, including one on Alexander Graham Bell. She specialized in making and exhibiting computer-generated art, while working as an animator, journalist and an independent video game developer.  

Education

Mary Bellis held a Master of Fine Arts in film and animation from the San Francisco Art Institute.

ThoughtCo and Dotdash

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https://www.thoughtco.com/timeline-of-robots-1992363