By: Prishu Gaire
What are robots? This is a question that often leads to a misinterpreted train of thought. Contrary to popular belief, robots don't have to resemble humans or have a traditional appearance similar to WALL-E. Moreover, robots are defined as machines that perform tasks and replace human efforts. The idea of robots and Artificial Intelligence dates back to the age of Leonardo de Vinci, but in the last century, the expansion of robots has revolutionized society.
From the 1920s to 1940s, the definition and term for robots began solidifying. The word robot comes from the Czech term robota, a term used that means slave. Karal Čapek used the word robota in his play R.U.R; the robots were exploited and forced to perform slave-like duties until they finally revolted and terminated the human population. Čapek’s widely acclaimed play inspired the mechanical creation of robots. Then, in 1942, Isaac Asimov introduced the term robotics in his novel Runaground, which explores the consequences of robots and Asimov’s theories on the potential difficulties of developing successful robots. Asimov is also known for his three famous rules of robotics [3]. Because of Čapek and Asimov, the word robot was introduced, along with the inspiration for future engineers to construct machines that minimize human tasks.
The formalized development of robotics started in 1954 when entrepreneur George Devol signed a patent for his programmable robotic arm. Two years later, Devol met with American engineer Joseph Engelberger. Together, they formulated Unimation, the first company to construct industrial robots, a type of robot used for manufacturing and factory work. The first Unimation robot welded pieces of hot metal for the construction of automobiles [4]. Unimation allowed for factories to simply warehouse work and helped with mass production. Today, Unimation is still used for its original purpose of welding cast iron parts and is largely purchased by the car industry [3].
Additionally, the expansion of robots in the 1960s is due to Stanford University's successful engineering endeavors. For example, Stanford’s Shakey the Robot, the first mobile robot, was programmed to make decisions using sensors, a significant advancement in the robotics industry. Because of this, Shakey is considered the first mobile robot. In their article ROBOTS: In the Beginning, authors Jeremy Gottlieb and David Leech Anderson state, “Shakey could be given general instructions, such as "move the block onto the table" and it would explain how to perform the task. This would involve looking around the room, identifying the block and the table, and then figuring out how to get the block to the table, including navigating around any obstacles in the room,” [1]. Mobile industrial robots like Shakey helped expand AI and robotics by exploring dead reckoning and sensors. Additionally, engineer Victor Scheinman added to the efficiency of industrial robots while he was at Stanford University. Scheinman created the computer-programmed robotic arm [2]. Overall, Stanford University aided the development of robots in the 1960's.
The 1970s and 1980s were an era of innovation for Industrial robots, robotic toys, and autonomous moving robots. The development of PUMA (Programmable Universal Machine for Assembly), an industrial robotic arm for detailed engineering, was a collaboration between Victor Scheinman and Unimation. In 1978, PUMA worked to assemble small car parts, such as lights and mirrors. Additionally, in the 1980s, robotic toys were introduced. The toys were programmed to respond to their surroundings and included a microprocessor chip. Today, PUMA is still used in different industries, such as biomedical engineering and labs, and robotic toys are used in schools and commercially [3].
Along with robotic toys and industrial robotics, engineers were working on creating robots with Artificial Intelligence that could navigate spaces and make conscious decisions. Rodney Brooks, an engineer at the MIT AI lab, programmed a prototype robot that semi-autonomously moved by responding to its surroundings. The functionality of the robot was similar to an insect as it responded to its environment. However, the outcome was not entirely what engineers were looking for, because they wanted a more reliable prototype [3]. Overall, the trial and error experienced between 1970 and 1980 allowed the 1990s to have such huge advancements in Robotics.
The 1990s saw the growth of technology in many different industries. For example, Guido van Rossum invented Python, a popular programming language, as a hobby. On top of that, computers were becoming more accessible and used in the workplace. But the most influential was the expansion of robots. Firstly, industrial robots were being used in molecular biology for handling test tubes and detailed analytical jobs. Secondly, robotic toys were becoming more advanced. The toys could understand sounds and respond to commands. One specific toy was AIBO, which resembled a dog. AIBO performed many dog-like functions, such as catching a ball, wagging its tail, and recognizing its owner. Lastly, in the late 1990s, Honda began creating and releasing the first humanoid robot, ASIMO [3]. Overall, the 90s was an era of immense innovation and experimental creation.
Overall, the future of robotics is very bright. With the expansion of industrial robots in warehouses and stores, you are likely to have seen a robot, or you may have one in your home. In my home, I have a semi autonomous robotic vacuum. The vacuum simplifies vacuuming and has raised the standard of living. Overall, the efforts of engineers in past decades have allowed many different types of robots to advance and be where they are today.
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Author Prishu Gaire is an 9th grader from the Mid-Atlantic United States, specializing in past and current advancements in robotics technology.
Works Cited
Gottlieb, Jeremy, and David Leech Anderson. ROBOTS: In the Beginning, The Mind Project, 2011, mind.ilstu.edu/curriculum/medical_robotics/robots_in_beginning.html.
“Industrial Robot History: Robots.” T.I.E. Industrial, Robots, 17 Nov. 2017, www.robots.com/articles/industrial-robot-history.
Moravec, Hans Peter. "Robot". Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Nov. 2023, https://www.britannica.com/technology/robot-technology.
“NIHF Inductee George Devol Invented the Industrial Robot.” NIHF Inductee George Devol Invented the Industrial Robot, www.invent.org/inductees/george-devol. Accessed 14 Dec. 2023.
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