a history of cybernetic animals and early robots
"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 …
A young Hans Moravec with the Stanford Cart c1977. One of the more documented Autonomous Vehicles is the Stanford Cart, having an active career starting as a research vehicle for remote moon missions, a White-line follower in 1966, through to its last active role in 1980 as an Autonomous research vehicle. Les Earnest has the …
JOHNS HOPKINS APL TECHNICAL DIGEST, VOLUME 24, NUMBER 1 (2003) p59 APL has had a distinguished history in decision support and situational awareness. For example, during the 1950s and 1960s, the Laboratory was critically engaged in the development of weapon control systems and the Navy Tactical Data System (NTDS), and performed the first experiments …
Read More “1961 – Ferdinand Autonomous Robot Mod I – JHU APL (American)”
A significant feature of the tortoises is so often referred to as "An Imitation of Life". As well as their behaviour, the tortoises construction had to be such that autonomy could be exhibited. This is somewhat driven by the technology and parts available at the time. For Grey Walter's purposes, the models had to be self-contained …
Read More “Grey Walter’s Tortoises – Batteries, Re-charging, Hutches and Autonomy”