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History Gallery Timeline Panel 

A discussion about robots naturally leads to a debate about the future. However, we can trace back many of the robotics technologies in our history. 

The concept of humanoids and automatons were refined by the likes of Leonardo da Vinci in the 15th and 16th centuries, and later, in the 17th century through Japanese Karakuri puppets. 

In 1950s, we saw the first industrial application of robots. It was a remarkable era linked to the rapid growth of robotics. Many inventions, such as the silver arm or delta pick and place robots, have since contributed to industrialization. 

Science fiction is also tied to robotics. Introduced in 1950, 'I, Robot" a novel by Issac Asimov is considered to be among the first science fiction works on robots. Cinema classics such as "Metropolis" and "Star Wars" to pulp magazines have influenced the way we think about robots. They use art to emulate a society with robots. 

Robots such as WABOT 1 and 2 or Raibert Hopper have enhanced the human-like functionality of robots, bringing robotics closer to the vision presented by science fiction. 

WABOT 2 showcases the application of robotics in arts, much like the automaton trumpet player. Apart from playing music, some robots can paint or even dance! 

The final frontier, space, depends on rovers and robots to study other planets. Apart from rovers, many other inventions are expected to assist in space exploration. 

The research in robotics has the potential to revolutionize many industries. Witness some of the landmark contributions in the history of robotics, which led to intelligent robots that we see today. 

Leonardo’s Robot 

Built by Leonardo da Vinci in 1495, the robot was a humanoid automaton. The robot is clad in medieval armour that resembles the armoury of Germany and Italy. Several sketchbooks were discovered in the 1950s that demonstrated design notes of the robot.

● Leonardo is said to have displayed this robot in 1495 at the court of Milan. 

● It could sit, stand, maneuver its arms and raise its visor by making use of cables and pulleys. 

● Its jaw was anatomically perfect. 

● It was later re-created using the designs and found to be functional. 

Clockwork Prayer 

This mechanical masterpiece was designed and built by the consummate clockmaker, JuaneloTurriano in the 16th century. The clockwork monk is a self-acting device and all its mechanisms are hidden under its cloak. Created as a symbol of religion, it is a true tribute to human ability today. 

● Even after 450 years, this robot is fully operational. It can move its arms and mouth in prayer. 

● It turns its body after every 20 inches of motion and glances to its left and right by moving its head. 

● Each time it raises its eyes, it looks at the cross.

KarakuriPuppets 

Karakuri puppets are traditional Japanese automata, designed between the 17th and 19th century. Karakuri is a Japanese word meaning “tricks” or “mechanisms.” This robot is extremely entertaining due to its fascinating gestures. 

● This robot is embedded in the tradition of Karakuri, known for concealing technology and evoking emotions in people.

● Karakuri puppets were the beginning of Japan’s love and passion for robots and technology. 

● These puppets use subtle hand movements that are often abstract and do not have any reason or logic behind them. 

Trumpet Player 

Designed in 1810 by Johann Friedrich Kaufmann, the trumpet player is on display today at the Deutsches Museum, Munich (Germany). It is the figure of a man wearing a Spanish costume. His lungs are represented by leather bellows that imitate the sound of a trumpet. 

● The most remarkable quality of this robot is its ability to produce dual sounds without compromising on its quality, purity, and strength. ● The genius of Kaufmann lies in his knowledge of music, mechanics and mathematics. 

Maria Machinenmensch 

Maschinenmensch is German word for “machine person.” It is a one-of-a-kind robot, based on the character of Maria from the cult classic, Metropolis. It was created by Rotwang based on Maria’s character in the novel and the film. The character in the film is played by the German actress Brigitte Helm, who plays the role of both the robot and its human incarnation in the movie. Maschinenmensch was destroyed in the novel as well as during filming. 

● Although several replicas of this robot have been made, it is still a mystery as to what happened to the original German robot.

Unimate 

Unimate was the first-ever industrial robot that was put into use. It worked in production on a General Motors assembly line in New Jersey. The robot was built in the 1950s by George Devol. It was created to work on machinery, especially handling apparatus and controlling them. 

● Devol and his business associate Joseph Engelberger also started Unimation, the first-ever robot manufacturing company in the world.

● The robot proved to be handy and undertook complicated tasks that would have been dangerous for the workers. This work included working on welding and transporting die castings.

Dalek

The Daleks are a fictional race of mutants as seen in the popular British TV series, Doctor Who. Daleks were portrayed as extremely violent, pitiless and merciless cyborg aliens, based on the Nazis. This is why the robots possess characteristics that instill fear in everyone. 

● The robot has been designed by Raymond Cusick and created by the writer of Doctor Who, Terry Nation.

● It was given the title of “the all-time greatest monster” by the readers of a science fiction magazine SFX. in 2010.

● Rob Hull from Doncaster, South Yorkshire holds the official world record for the largest collection of Daleks in the world. 

WABOT 1 

WABOT 1 is an anthropomorphic robot developed by Ichiro Kato at the Japanese Waseda University and released in 1970. It is short for Waseda Robot and is the intelligent predecessor of WABOT 2. This robot, known for its human-esque characteristics, works on a vision and limb control system. It can even talk in Japanese. 

KUKA

Jacob Knappich and Josef Keller built the first KUKA robot in 1898 with the purpose of providing cost-effective illumination. The KUKA Automation Company aims to empower industries by equipping them with a multitude of innovative robotics. KUKA Robots has changed the face of robotics. 

● All the robots from Kuka Robotics are programmed to work in industries and are self-operational. 

● These robots can perform several tasks such as welding and handling the apparatus. 

● The company designed the world’s first industrial robot with 6 electromechanical drive axes. 

Silver Arm

David Silver from MIT was the primary creative head and developer behind the Silver Arm. This enhanced robotic arm was created to mimic the motions of human hands and fingers using distinct motor control. The Silver Arm is a true testament to automation. 

● It was built in 1974 and performed precise assembly, utilizing pressure sensors, touch sensors and a microcomputer.

● It was a fully functional and operational robotic arm, capable of replicating the fine movements of human hands.

● This robotic hand was a great feat in the history of robotics.

Star Wars

Star Wars is a classic that has gained a fan following among both scientific and non-scientific communities. From R2-D2, C-3PO to BB8, Star Wars has a dense history of robots with an innate ability to replicate humans. 

● It was speculated that these robots might one day replace humans. 

● Though some may fear replacement by such robots, in the film, robots mostly assisted human life forms instead of replacing them.

● C-3PO is an admired protocol droid that was designed to be capable of translation, etiquette, and customs. 

Delta Robots 

Delta robots are parallel robots and consist of three arms that are connected at the base to universal joints. Parallelograms are used to maintain perfect orientation. Delta robots are used in factories and industries due to their speed in picking and packaging and can perform 300 picks or more in a minute. 

● They were invented in the early 1980s and were popularly known as parallel arm robots, or pick and place robots.

● These robots can also manipulate small and light objects at an amazingly high speed. 

● They have an intricate design and are made to operate exceptionally in industrial setups.

Direct Drive Arm 

The Direct Drive Arm was designed and built by Takeo Kanade. This is the best method designed till date for mechanical arms. This is due to the fact that they can move smoothly and with precision even at high speeds, which is achieved by replacing the transmission mechanisms involved between the loads and the motors. 

● The success of this robot led to further improvements resulting in Direct Drive Arm II. 

● Both these arms are technological breakthroughs in the field of robotic mechanics. 

SCARA 

SCARA is the acronym for Selective Compliance Assembly/Articulated Robot Arm. It was created in 1981 under the guidance of a professor named Hiroshi Makino. It is effective for a variety of assembly operations due to its cleaner and faster motion such as loading/unloading, packaging, pick & place, etc. .

● The SCARA 4-axis robots were designed to fulfill stringent requirements in fields like automotive, pharmaceuticals, electrical and food sectors. 

● They can also handle sorting, spacing, piling, and palletization in factories without breaking a sweat and at superfast speed

Raibert Hopper 

Raibert Hopper earned its name because of its one leg. It can be considered proof that robots might be agile like human beings and walk or run someday. This is why Raibert Hopper is considered a milestone in the history of robotics. 

● This robot was designed by Marc Raibert in 1980 at a Leg Laboratory at the Carnegie Mellon. 

● His theory was that just like humans; robots also rely on some kind of motion for their stability. 

● He applied those theories in Hopper, and this robot turned out to be a grand success

WABOT 2 

WABOT 2 was developed by Waseda University in Japan in 1984 and perfectly mimicked the movements of a human hand. WABOT 2 is a humanoid that accomplishes artistic activities such as playing keyboard instruments. The developers, Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd. demonstrated it at Expo 85. 

● It has hands and legs to tap the keys and manage the expression pedals softly. 

● Its design also includes ears and a mouth to ensure a seamless conversation with humans. 

● The robot also possesses a pair of eyes to read a musical score easily. 

Johnny 5

Johnny 5 is the robot from the movie Short Circuit, an action comedy directed by John Badham. The plot of the film revolves around an experimental military robot. This robot is struck by lightning in the movie after which it gains human-like intelligence. 

● In the movie, Johnny Five had emotions and was self-aware. 

● The robot was designed by Dr. Newton Crosby and Benjamin Jahrvi. 

● It was constructed in the Robotics Division by Nova Laboratories Inc. as a robotic soldier that had military applications. 

Sojourner 

The Sojourner Mars Rover was a part of the Mars Pathfinder mission conducted by NASA. The objective of the mission was to get science equipment to Mars in a low budget form factor. The mission commenced on December 4th, 1996 and the rover landed on Mars on July 4th, 1997 at Ares Vallis. The primary objective of the Sojourner was to study the Mars terrain and record the performance of the micro vehicles on unknown terrain. 

● The Sojourner sports solar panels that lend it enough power to move around Mars. 

● The Rover has front and rear cameras to click pictures of the Martian surface. 

● To study soil composition, the Rover sported an Alpha Proton X-Ray Spectrometer (APXS). 

● The Sojourner’s mission was proposed to be for 7 sols (Solar days on Mars). However, it functioned for a whopping 83 sols, sending pictures and data of Mars on its time on the red planet.