Past, Present, and Future of Robotics Robotics is a seemingly fresh and modern STEM field, however its origins can be traced back thousands of years. In order to tell the complete history of Robotics, the story must begin with the Greeks. In the early 1900’s a mechanical device was found near the Greek island of Crete. It had a complex gear system and was likely used to calculate the position of celestial bodies in the known universe. The device was of Greek origin and over 2,000 years old. It was named “The Antikythera Device”. Even before the Greeks however, the Babylonians had developed a water clock named “clepsydra”. Several other civilizations experimented with the development of new technologies, including the Chinese and Arabians.
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The play written by Karel Capek, a Czech writer, was about a man who created mechanical men to work in a factory’s assembly lines, only to have them rebel and kill their creator. The word “robot” was derived from the Czech word for slave. The term “robotics” was then established in 1941 to illustrate the technology behind robots and the predicted surge of popularity within the industry. Isaac Asimov, a Russian-born American writer used the term in 1942, in his short story. The difference between Capek’s and Asimov’s perception of robots, was that while Capek discouraged dependence on robots, Asimov believed they were a tool to help better the human race. Asimov went on to propose three “Laws of Robotics” that applied to his stories. They are the …show more content…
Law Zero: A robot may not injure a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm, unless this would violate a higher order law. (Robot Shop 4) In 1946, George Devol patented a playback device to control machines, using magnetic recording. Then in 1954, Devol went on to design the very first programmable robot. It was named UNIMATE (US patent 2,998,237). Two years later, George Devol and Joseph Engelberger, created the world’s very first robot company named “Unimation”, standing for Universal Animation. Engelberger has since been dubbed the “Father of Robotics”. The company was purchased by Condec Corporation in 1960. One of the most recognizable events in the history of robotics, was on October 4, 1957, when the Soviet Union launched “Sputnik I”. It was the first autonomous, and artificial satellite ever to be made. It was 22.8 inches in diameter with a total weight of 183.9 pounds. This launch is said to have been the beginning of the space race. Then in 1969, an American by the name of Neil Armstrong set foot on the Moon after NASA perfected its craft of building spaceships. This made the US a dominant force in space
The play written by Karel Capek, a Czech writer, was about a man who created mechanical men to work in a factory’s assembly lines, only to have them rebel and kill their creator. The word “robot” was derived from the Czech word for slave. The term “robotics” was then established in 1941 to illustrate the technology behind robots and the predicted surge of popularity within the industry. Isaac Asimov, a Russian-born American writer used the term in 1942, in his short story. The difference between Capek’s and Asimov’s perception of robots, was that while Capek discouraged dependence on robots, Asimov believed they were a tool to help better the human race. Asimov went on to propose three “Laws of Robotics” that applied to his stories. They are the …show more content…
Law Zero: A robot may not injure a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm, unless this would violate a higher order law. (Robot Shop 4) In 1946, George Devol patented a playback device to control machines, using magnetic recording. Then in 1954, Devol went on to design the very first programmable robot. It was named UNIMATE (US patent 2,998,237). Two years later, George Devol and Joseph Engelberger, created the world’s very first robot company named “Unimation”, standing for Universal Animation. Engelberger has since been dubbed the “Father of Robotics”. The company was purchased by Condec Corporation in 1960. One of the most recognizable events in the history of robotics, was on October 4, 1957, when the Soviet Union launched “Sputnik I”. It was the first autonomous, and artificial satellite ever to be made. It was 22.8 inches in diameter with a total weight of 183.9 pounds. This launch is said to have been the beginning of the space race. Then in 1969, an American by the name of Neil Armstrong set foot on the Moon after NASA perfected its craft of building spaceships. This made the US a dominant force in space