Expert System

robotics- (n.) The science or study of the technology associated with the design, fabrication, theory, and application of robots

History of Robotics

The fun and intresting

sides, a little history, some intresting uses,

impacts of robots and some future ideas.

By Mike Williams

11/08/02

For Fun and Enjoyment

And a Class Assignment

Ball State University

ITDPT 303 Manufacturing Systems

Image From Image From

http://www.robotfactory.com

http://www.panasonicrobots.com

INTRODUCTION

HISTORY

HOW ROBOTS WORK

USES FOR ROBOTS

IMPACT OF ROBOTS

FUTURE OF TECHNOLOGIES

INTRODUCTION

"Robotics, computer-controlled machine that is programmed to move, manipulate objects, and accomplish work while interacting with its environment. Robots are able to perform repetitive tasks more quickly, cheaply, and accurately than humans. The term robot originates from the Czech word robota, meaning "compulsory labor." It was first used in the 1921 play R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots) by the Czech novelist and playwright Karel Capek. The word robot has been used since to refer to a machine that performs work to assist people or work that humans find difficult or undesirable."

(MSN Learning & Research. 2002)

American Heritage Dictionary: robot (rbt,-bt) n.

1. A mechanical device that sometimes resembles a human being 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.

3. A person who works mechanically without original thought, especially one who responds automatically to the commands of others.

Webster:

1. a : a machine that looks like a human being and performs various complex acts ( as walking or talking) of a human being; a similar but fictional machine whose lack of capacity for human emotions is often emphasized b : an efficient insensitive person who functions automatically.

2. a device that automatically performs complicated often repetitive tasks.

3. a mechanism guided by automatic controls.

(Robotics Introduction. 2002)

The robots in the movies are portrayed as fantastic, intelligent, and sometime dangerous artificial life. But robots are really working for people and performing tasked for them and tasks that may be dangerous. And in the future robots will show up in schools, homes and even in parts of the body. As technology advances we are finding more ways to use robots and greater ways to use them.

(The Tech. 2001)

Back to Top

HISTORY

In the early 1800's mechanical puppets were first built in Europe, just for entertainment value. And these were called robots since there parts were driven by linkage and cams and controlled by rotating drum selectors. In 1801 Joseph Maria Jacquard made the next great change and invented the automatic draw loom. The draw loom would punch cards and was used to control the lifting of thread in fabric factories. This was the first to be able to store a program and control a machine. After that there were many small changes in robotics but we were slowly moving forward.

(UK Robot. 2001)

The first industrial robots were Unimates developed by George Devol and Joe Engelberger in the late 50's and early 60's. The first patents we by Devol but Engelberger formed Unimation which was the first market robots. So Engelberger has been called the "father of robotics". For a while the economic viability of these robots proved disastrous and thing slowed down for robotics. But the industry recovered and by the mid-80's robotics was back on track.

(Dowling, Kevin. 1996 )

George Devol Jr, in 1954 developed the multijointed artificial arm which lead to the modern robots. But mechanical engineer Victor Scheinman, developed the truly flexible arm know as the Programmable Universal Manipulation Arm (PUMA).

(MSN Leaning & Research. 2002 )

In 1950 Isaac Asimov came up with laws for robots and these were:

1. A robot may not injure a human being, or through inaction allow a human being to come to harm.

2. A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the first law.

3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the first or second law.

(Robotics Introduction. 2001.)

Mobile Robotics moved into its own in 1983 when Odetics introduced this six-legged vehicle which was capable of climbing over objects. This robot could lift over 5.6 times its own weight parked and 2.3 times it weight moving.

(UK Robotics 2001)

Back to Top

Image from

http://robotics.jpl.nasa.gov/groups/rv/homepage.html

HOW ROBOTS WORK

"The inspiration for the design of a robot manipulator is the human arm, but with some differences. For example, a robot arm can extend by telescoping--that is, by sliding cylindrical sections one over another to lengthen the arm. Robot arms also can be constructed