a history of cybernetic animals and early robots
1982 – RCV-150 Remote Controlled Vehicle System by Arthur B. Billet, principal engineer, Hydro Products, Inc., a Tetra Tech Co., wholly owned by Honeywell. Image Source: here. Technician checks out the RCV-150, Hydro Product's largest deep-diving robot vehicle, one of the increasing number of such remote-controlled devices that are rapidly replacing human divers for many …
Read More “1978-80 – RCV-150 ROV – Arthur B. Billet (American)”
1985 – Direct Link Prehensor (DLP) by John W. Jameson. The project stalled in 1986. Originally designed for astronaut hard suits, it was later licensed to Nuytco for its atmospheric diving systems, or ADS, particularly the then new Exosuit. The Prehensor is a manipulator that matches the dexterity of a gloved human hand. External ‘fingers’ …
Read More “1985 – Direct Link Prehensor (DLP) – John W. Jameson (American)”
The EXOSUIT mock-up by R. T. "Phil" Nuytten from 1999. Sylvia Earle with the Exosuit mock-up in 1999. The Exosuit is Phil Nuytten's next generation Atmospheric Diving System following from his successful Newtsuit. Sport Diver Nov-Dec 2005 Dr. Phil and the Amazing Exosuit by Daryl Carson. EXOSUIT If you haven't heard of diving's Dr. Phil, …
Read More “1997-2000 – “Exosuit” Development – R. T. “Phil” Nuytten (Canadian)”
1981 – "Deep Rover" Submersible. See 7:10 into the Video. Top: Dr. Sylvia Earle. Bottom: Graham Hawkes. Extract from Popular Science, Dec 1984. An acrylic-bubble undersea habitat called Deep Rover will take oceanographers and oil-rig technicians to depths of 3,200 feet, where they'll work at sea-level pressure—in near-living-room comfort. The vessel "flies" like an underwater …
Read More “1981 – “Deep Rover” Submersible – Graham Hawkes (British/American)”
The one-atmosphere DeepWorker 2000 submersible allows a pilot to go deeper and spend more time below the surface than traditional diving methods. The sub comes with external manipulators to tackle serious underwater jobs. HydroNewt Manipulators having a standard reach of 5 feet. Submersible Publication number USD461445 S1 Publication type Grant Application number US 29/152,829 Publication …
Read More “1997 – “DeepWorker 2000” Submersible – Phil Nuytten (Canadian)”