a history of cybernetic animals and early robots
There is more to talk about and show regarding ELMER and ELSIE , the M. speculatrix models. So that I can talk about them further, I feel that I need to introduce CORA the tortoise at this time. Why, do you ask, do I keep qualifying CORA -'the tortoise' ? Some of you out there …
Read More “CORA the tortoise – Machina Docilis – Grey Walter (British)”
These next set of pictures show the new single-coil relays which were also used in the batch of 6 for the Festival of Britain in 1951. You will also notice the oil-filled capacitor has gone, and in one picture another capacitor is in place. This is most likely the capacitor used to give M. speculatrix …
ELSIE (Electro-mechanical robot, Light Sensitive with Internal and External stability ). The press at the time reported the arrival of ELSIE in late 1949, eg Daily Mail, 17 November 1949; and Daily Express, 13 December 1949. But a memo exists from Edison Swan to Grey dated 10 Mar 1948 suggests that the female tortoise [ELSIE] was also built in 1948. [Note: Edison …
ELMER – (ELectro-MEchanical Robot) How the media reported the coming of ELMER : Lethbridge Herald – Wednesday , February 25, 1948 Robot Tortoise Likes Women – Recognizes Voices, Comes To Meet When Called-Can be Sulky LONDON. Feb. 25 Daily Express reported today that Dr. W. Grey Walter. 38-year-old brain scientist has built a robot tortoise so "human …
Read More “M. speculatrix – a new species of animal – ELMER”
When one reads through documents and histories on cybernetic and cybernetic models, one of the earliest models refered to is the Toy Beetle. The key reference is A. J. LOTKA. Elements of Physical Biology. Baltimore, 1925. Normally you see it in simple diagrammatic form, but after many hours on patent search engines (pre Google patents …
Read More “1911 – Toy Beetle – Adolph Weigel – referenced by A.J. Lotka”