a history of cybernetic animals and early robots
In 1952, Richard A. Wallace built a Maze Solving Computer as a model of "machine learning". His definition of learning is "The ability to modify a response to a stimulus because of past experience with the stimulus." see full pdf here.
The Thomas Ross Maze Learning Machine showing its feeler tracking the slots of this comb-shaped maze. See complete Scientific American 1933 article titled "Machines That Think" – pdf here.
"Newt" updated showing manipulator. In an email response from Dr. Hollis (2010), I learnt that his old robot is called "Newt," not "NEWT." (It is not an acronym.) He is planning to put together a small web site with lots of pictures and background on Newt, its predecessors and follow-ons. Ralph will send a pointer …
For full story, see pdf.
SERVO 01.2004 Vintage Anthony Ellis, Conceptioneer (inventor / product developer, www.appliedmachineintelligence.co.uk) is the trailblazing roboticist behind our first modern robot from the past. If you're new to robotics, or haven't kept up with news from across the pond, you probably haven't heard of this "vintage" robot. Meet Anthony Ellis' 23-year-old creation, appropriately named Vintage. Vintage came …
Read More “1979 – “Vintage the Robot” – Tony Ellis (British)”