Presentation adapted from Space Foundation

Robotics/Nanotechnology 2009
A robot is defined as:
1. A mechanical device that sometimes resembles a human
and is capable of performing a variety of often complex
human tasks on command or by being programmed in
advance.
2. A machine or device that operates automatically or by
remote control

Therefore, what device was

considered the first robot and
when was it developed?
• A clock, ~ 270 BC

Presentation adapted from Space Foundation

Robotics/Nanotechnology 2009
 A Short History of Robots
Robot Timeline:
• 350 BC - the Greek mathematician, Archytas (ahr ky’ tuhs) builds
a mechanical bird dubbed “the pigeon” that is propelled by steam.

• 270 BC - a Greek engineer named Ctesibus (ti sib’ ee uhs) made a

pipe organ called a “hydraulis” and water clocks with movable
figures. These clocks were the most accurate until the use of the
pendulum in the 17th century.

• 1801 – Joseph Jacquard builds an automated loom that is

controlled by a punch card. Punch cards are later used as an input
method for some early 20th century computers.

http://prime.jsc.nasa.gov/ROV/history.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archytas
http://robotics.megagiant.com/history.html
Presentation adapted from Space Foundation
Robotics/Nanotechnology 2009
• 1818 - Mary Shelley wrote "Frankenstein" which was about a
frightening artificial life form created by Dr. Frankenstein.

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

• 1942 - Asimov wrote "Runaround", a story about robots which

contained the "Three Laws of Robotics"

• 1921 - The term "robot" was first used in a play called "R.U.R."
or "Rossum's Universal Robots" by the Czech writer Karel Capek
(chap’ ek). The plot was simple: man makes robot then robot kills
man!
http://prime.jsc.nasa.gov/ROV/history.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archytas
http://robotics.megagiant.com/history.html
Presentation adapted from Space Foundation
Robotics/Nanotechnology 2009
• 1940 – Isaac Asimov produces a series of short stories about
robots starting with “A Strange Playfellow” (later renamed
“Robbie”) for Super Science Stories magazine. The story is about a
robot bound to protect a child. It is later compiled into the volume,
“I, Robot” in 1950.

• 1948 - "Cybernetics", an influence on artificial intelligence

research was published by Norbert Wiener.

• 1956 - George Devol and Joseph Engelberger formed the world's

first robot company.

http://prime.jsc.nasa.gov/ROV/history.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archytas
http://robotics.megagiant.com/history.html
Presentation adapted from Space Foundation
Robotics/Nanotechnology 2009
 Three Laws of Robotics
by Isaac Asimov
• A robot may not injure a human, or, through inaction,
allow a human being to come to harm.
• A robot must obey the orders it by human beings except
where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
• A robot must protect its own existence as long as such
protection does not conflict with the First or Second
Law.
• He later adds the “Zeroth Law”. A robot may not injure
humanity, or, through inaction, allow humanity to come to
harm.

http://prime.jsc.nasa.gov/ROV/history.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archytas
http://robotics.megagiant.com/history.html
Presentation adapted from Space Foundation
Robotics/Nanotechnology 2009
•1977 – Star Wars is released.
George Lucas introduces watchers
to R2-D2 and C-3PO, and the
strongest image of a human future
with robots. It inspires a
generation of researchers.

•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.
http://prime.jsc.nasa.gov/ROV/history.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archytas
http://robotics.megagiant.com/history.html
Presentation adapted from Space Foundation
Robotics/Nanotechnology 2009
• 1997 –Pathfinder lands on Mars.

• 1997 – The first node of the ISS is

placed in orbit using a robotic arm.

• 1998 – Tiger Electronics introduces

Furby. It can react to its
environment and communicate using
over 800 phrases.

• 2004 – The Mars Exploration Rovers

Spirit and Opportunity land on Mars
and prove that Mars was once
covered with water.

Image courtesy of NASA

http://prime.jsc.nasa.gov/ROV/history.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archytas
http://robotics.megagiant.com/history.html
Presentation adapted from Space Foundation
Robotics/Nanotechnology 2009
 • 2004 – I, Robot, new version of
robots trying to take over the
world.

• 2005 - Honda debuts new Asimo

robot that can complete office
tasks.

http://prime.jsc.nasa.gov/ROV/history.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archytas
http://robotics.megagiant.com/history.html
Presentation adapted from Space Foundation
Robotics/Nanotechnology 2009
Why are robots important in today’s society?

Presentation adapted from Space Foundation

Robotics/Nanotechnology 2009
 ROLES AND JOBS OF ROBOTS

• Computer Assisted Manufacturing

• Military
• Medical
• Space Exploration
• Personal

Presentation adapted from Space Foundation

Robotics/Nanotechnology 2009
 Computer Assisted Manufacturing

• Car Industry
• General Packaging
• Mail Processing
• etc.

Presentation adapted from Space Foundation

Robotics/Nanotechnology 2009
 MILITARY

• Computer GPS guided

bombs “smart bombs”.
• Movement of troops,
weapons, etc.
• Advancements in war
weapons, aircraft,
artillery, naval ships, etc.

Presentation adapted from Space Foundation

Robotics/Nanotechnology 2009
 MEDICAL

• Prosthetic limbs
• Pacemakers
• Dialysis Machines
• Heart rate monitors
• Blood Pressure Machines
• etc.

Presentation adapted from Space Foundation

Robotics/Nanotechnology 2009
 Space Exploration

Robonaut
Developed in 2004
Humanoid robot to assist
astronauts
Controlled by Virtual Reality
Stereoscopic vision
Dexterous hands
Several configurations
Presentation adapted from Space Foundation
Robotics/Nanotechnology 2009
 Personal

• Fax Machines
• Computers
• Refrigerators
• Blenders
• Watches
• GPS Receivers
• etc.

Presentation adapted from Space Foundation

Robotics/Nanotechnology 2009
 ADVANTAGES, DISADVANTAGES, AND
FUTURE CONCERNS OF ROBOTS

PROS:
• Each machine “robot” helps our population greatly via technology
advances and improvements in the overall health of our society.
• Medicinal advancements
• Labor intensive activities are decreased due to machines “robots”.
• Mathematical & statistical computations.
• Robots can go and do things that are unsafe for humans (Example:
bomb disarming robots, space probes, etc..

Presentation adapted from Space Foundation

Robotics/Nanotechnology 2009
CONS & Future concerns:

• Loss of jobs due to

replacement by robots.
•War of the Worlds?

Presentation adapted from Space Foundation

Robotics/Nanotechnology 2009