a history of cybernetic animals and early robots
The vehicle ПрОП-Ф (PrOP-F), designed by the Russian Mobile Vehicle Engineering Institute, was sent in a space mission to Phobos in 1989 (Kemurdjian et al., 1995). This 45 kg robot was able to move using hops, perform scientific experiments and transmit the collected data and the experiments results to the Earth through a radio communication …
The Japanese owner of a Chinese restaurant in Los Angeles has installed a robot waiter because he thinks they are more efficient than his human waitresses. The robot carried trays of food and other orders on March 11 to the waiting customers and was well received by the patrons. One customer was satisfied with the …
Read More “1983 – “Tanbo R-1” the Robot Waiter – (Japanese)”
CAPTION: ROBOTS ON PARADE Keisuke Inada of Bridgestone Corp.of Tokyo adjusts the Soft Arm robot, a multijoint robot that resembles a human arm in its movements, at Cobo Hall. The Society of Manufacturing Engineers expects 25,000 people to attend its AUTOFACT '90, an exposition demonstrating computer-integrated manufacturing. Photo is dated 11/13/90. Pneumatic actuator for manipulator …
Read More “1983 – Bridgestone “Rubbertuator” – Takeo Takagi and Yuji Sakaguchi (Japanese)”
“Greenman” (1983-1988) – The first anthropomorphic (human configured) manipulator developed at SSC San Diego was the Remote Presence Demonstration System, nicknamed “Greenman”. It was assembled in 1983 using MB Associates arms and a SPAWAR Systems Center San Diego-developed torso and head. It had an exoskeletal master controller for the human operator’s torso, arms, and head. …
Read More “1983-88 – “Greenman” Teleoperator – Smith & Armogida (American)”
Machinery Service Robot: An Unmanned Conveyor Dainichi Kiko This waiter robot, priced at Y5 million, is one of a number of "amusement" robots that Dainichi has developed for use in restaurants and wedding halls. Performing eight basic operations, including the ability to speak sixteen different phrases, the waiter robot is capable of a wide range …