a history of cybernetic animals and early robots
A catalogue of Cybernetic Animals, including pre-Cybernetic Creatures
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”
Before I introduce Elmer, the first of Grey’s tortoises, a little background on Grey’s technical skills. We already learnt from the previous post that Grey was building "wireless" sets with his Dad in 1919. The BNI Archives have a photo of a young Grey Walter at a metal turning lathe, so he appears to be quite …