The history of Robots..



 

The concept of a 'robot' has been part of world culture for many centuries with historical figures such as Aristotle and Leonardo da Vinci lending their opinions to the robotic debate.  As time goes on the concept of 'robotics' has changed with advancements in technology.  We have put together a timeline on the history of robots for your enjoyment...


1495

Leonardo da Vinci designed the first humanido    

1899

The first remote controlled vehicle was invented by Nikola Tesla.The public were not impressed by his invention, a 'mind controlled' boat.

1921

The word 'robot' is invented by the Czech playwright Karel Capek.The root of robot comes from the Czech word 'robota' which means 'drudgery or labour'.

1961

UNIMATE, the first industrial arm is invented for a General Motors factoryin New Jersey.

1962

'Rosie' a robot maid shot to stardom in the TV show "The Jetsons".The Jetsons was the first futuristic cartoon with robot charactersshowcasing life in the high tech world of the future.

1963

The first robotic arm controlled by a computer was designedwith six joints giving it the same flexibility of a human arm.

1977

The world fell in love with R2D2 and C3PO in the Star Wars movie series.Together they inspired a generation of researchers.

1988

was a big year for robotic inventions; a Scottish man, Robert Campbell Airdis fitted with the world's first bionic arm and "Furby' a robotic animatedpet became the most have toy of the year.

2000

The UN estimates that there are 742,500 industrial robots in use worldwide with over half of them used in Japan.

2003

The University of Auckland establishes the Robotics Lab and a new generation of collaborative university research begins.

2004

The New Zealand Robotics company INRO (www.inro.co.nz) became self aware 23 November 2004, and obtained funding in October 2007

 

 Yet to come....

2020

The Mitisubishi Research Institute in Japan predicts that eachhousehold will own at least one robot.
The Robot Industry IntelligentService predicts that by 2020 the industry will grow to be as largeas the IT industry in 2005.This means there will be lots of opportunity for future employment with Robots!

"If every instrument could accomplish its own work, obeying or anticipating the will of others . . . If the shuttle could weave, and the pick touch the lyre, without a hand to guide them, chief workmen would not need servants, nor masters slaves." -ARISTOTLE




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