a history of cybernetic animals and early robots
In the early ‘60s, as part of the preparations for the Apollo manned moon landing mission, the Jet Propulsion Lab planned a follow-on program to its very successful ‘hard’ landing ‘Ranger’ program, which gave the first close-up views of the moon’s surface. The proposed ‘soft’ lander program was called ‘Surveyor’. An initial concept was for …
Read More “1961 – Sperry Rand Plodding Moon Walker – (American)”
Although published in 1962, the illustration is dated 1961. Frank Tinsley's concept pre-dates A. J. Morrison's "Iron Mule Train" by about 7 years. Given the cancelled Space programme for an un-manned lunar misssion, I wouldn't be surprised that Tinsley's concept inspired Morrison in resurrecting the Moonwalker project (having already had a second life as a Disability walker) …
Read More “1961 – Iron Mule Train (Concept) – Frank Tinsley (American)”
Space General designers have built an insect-like vehicle with six legs, two arms, a triangular body, a solar-cell panel, and an antenna. The left arm, ending in a claw, picks up objects to examine. The right one holds a TV camera to do the looking – and to see where the vehicle is walking. This …
Read More “1961 – Moonwalker Lunar Rover – Space General Corp. (American)”
The below video clip was recently placed on Youtube by Neil Mizen's son. The person in the video and in the below pics is Ronald J. Patterson, a technician from Cornell Aeronautical Labs at the time. ll Note: The description above incorrectly describes the exoskeleton as having motors. Unfortunately Cornell never got to the powered stage. …
Read More “1961-2 – Cornell Aeronautical Labs Man-Amplifier – Neil Mizen (American)”
I know very little about this Chinese robot. It is the first full-size humanoid robot I have seen from China. The video clip is found here. You will need to register first (for free), then login. Search for "1961 14 8" including the quotation marks. The clip is titled UN ROBOT CHINOIS CONSTRUIT PAR DES JEUNES. …