a history of cybernetic animals and early robots
Although built using a child's electric car as the chassis, the fully functional Buster was a true Cybernetic Animal, showing reflexes, phototropism, and hunger / recharging modes. He could operate totally autonomously if so desired, but had manual overrides via a remote panel or remote control via an acoustic adapter. No CPU chips here. Op-amps, …
Read More “1976 – “Buster” Robot Animal – David L. Heiserman (American)”
elektor june 75 M. Keul and H. Lohr the moth This is a design for a simple cybernetic model, based on an electric toy car, that will be attracted towards a light source like a moth, negotiating obstacles in its path. The car has two motors, one to propel it and one for the steering …
Read More “1975 – “The Moth” Cybernetic Model – Keul & Lohr (Dutch)”
elektor june 75 beetle Beetles, tortoises and the like have often served as models for cybernetic machines which must also have a reasonable appearance. The beetle described in this article can 'see, hear and feel' and reacts to information in the form of sounds and movements. The animal has a memory and can get tired. …
Beginnings: The Times Record – 24 July 1962 p13 From as early as 1962, the General Electric Ordinance Dept. in Pittsfield, Mass., undertook a study for the US Army which may lead to the building of a manned walking machine, with arms and legs, ….. where tractors might get stuck. The mechanism for which the …
Read More “1969 – GE Walking Truck – Ralph Mosher (American)”
"MOVE OVER, HUMAN – Even a hard-bitten Parisian driver would be likely to obey that command from the odd driver of this odd vehicle. No visitor from another world. It's a homegrown robot named "Cosmos" which, like the helicopter in the background, was on display at a science exhibit on the banks of the Seine. …
Read More “1958 – “Cosmos the Robot” – Christian Dupont (French)”