a history of cybernetic animals and early robots
From: Cybernetic Serendipity : The computer and the arts. Studio International special issue 2nd Ed revised Sep. 1968 Bruce Lacey – Mate 1967 Electronic parts, aluminium, batteries, motors, etc. 24 X 24 X 72 in. Built as a companion to R.O.S.A., which it follows automatically and generally interacts with. Using ultrasonics, infra-red and sonic signals. …
Read More “1967 – MATE for R.O.S.A.B.O.S.O.M. – Bruce Lacey (British)”
Charles Rosen with "Shakey" c1970. Shakey is one of the more well known and documented autonomous automaton. With the then more topical name of "Artificial Intelligence", the "Cybernetic" world starts to lose favour. We are now entering the era of "Intelligent Automata". The research proposal for "APPLICATION OF INTELLIGENT AUTOMATA TO RECONNAISSANCE" presented on 22 …
Read More “1967 – “Shakey” – Charles Rosen, Nils Nilsson, Bertram Raphael et al (American)”
At this stage I have very little information on Friedman's ADROIT. If I can get hold of his paper I will add exceprts here. —————- interesting reference from SRI Shakey's 1966 interim paper "Definition of the Automaton System Factors Influencing the Choice of a Mission There is not much prior art in the area of automata controlled …
Read More “1965 – ADROIT Simulated Insect – Leonard Friedman (American)”
When I visited Heinz Zemanek and the Technisches Museum Wien [Vienna], although the museum normally has Bielowski's tortoise, only the shell was present as the machine was on loan to another museum (Nixdorf Computer Museum) at the time (June 2009). The Vienna Tortoises: Left: 1954 Eichler's Schildkröte; Centre: 1959 Kretz/Angyan/Zemanek Machina Combinatrix; Right: 1965 Bielowski …
Read More “1965 – Kybernetisches Modell “Schildkröte” – Hans Bielowski / Heinz Zemanek (Austrian)”
"Omega" Cybernetic Tortoise (Kybernetische Schildkröte) – R. Oettel – There is too much German for me to translate quickly. I'll do it at a much later time. The construction model appeared in the German magazine Funkamateur, as well as the booklet Der Praktische Funkamateur Band 54 Kybernetische Experimente fur den Amateur. I've attached the pdf …
Read More “1964 – “Omega” Cybernetic Tortoise (Kybernetische Schildkröte) – R. Oettel (German)”