a history of cybernetic animals and early robots
The JPL/AMES Manipulator arm came about around 1972. It utilises the arms of Vykukal's Hard Space Suit (see patent infomation below). The patent has Hubert C. Vykukal, Reginald F. King, and Wilbur C. Vallotton as the joint inventors. Around 3 models were built. "Unilateral" means that there is no "force reflection" (feedback) provided in this …
Read More “1972 – JPL/AMES Manipulator Arm – Hubert “Vik” Vykukal (American)”
Built in 1985 Robot George, it's 25 years old Dan Mathias first big robot and 40 inches tall, and weights 110 lbs, has one Pentium III – 600 MHz Lap-Top, with 128 meg ram and 20 Gig ide hard drive, sound blaster voice input, voice syntheses and image processing and control with Linux software that …
Herbert – A Soda Can collecting robot (named after the AI pioneer Herbert Simon). In mobile robot research we believe the structure of the platform, its capabilities, the choice of sensors, their capabilities, and the choice of processors, both onboard and offboard, greatly constrains the direction of research activity centered on the platform. We examine …
Read More “1986c – “Herbert” the Collection Machine – Brooks, Connell, Ning (American)”
The blue Wazoo senses light and sound and responds with a behavioral repetoire of various LED patterns, movements, inflations, deflations, whirs, clicks and jiggles. It is six feet high and weighs about twentyfive pounds. It was made in 1975-76 and uses TTL logic circuits. It is currently owned by Allan Stone of the Allan Stone …
Read More “1975-6 – “Blue Wazoo” Cybernetic Sculpture – Jim Pallas (American)”
Extract from 1980's article: The articles present experiences in interfacing and programming a SUPERKIM single board computer for the control of a Lour Control ET-2 robot shell. The ET-2 (Experimental Transmobile with 2 drive motors) consist of a three level frame powered by two separately driven wheels and balanced by a free caster. Part 2 …
Read More “1980-1 – “SUPERKIM Meets ET-2” – D. F. McAllister (American)”