a history of cybernetic animals and early robots
Pouch-Type Artificial Muscle (1970) An artificial muscle, which would serve as a rotational actuator for prostheses, was developed. It was made of double boards connected by a hinge and an airtight rubber pouch the expansion of which was constrained by nylon so as to generate torque around the hinge. Dr. Ichiro Kato, the leader of …
Gakutensoku (å¸å¤©å‰‡, Japanese for "learning from the laws of nature"), the first robot to be built in Japan, was created in Osaka in 1928. The robot was designed and manufactured by biologist and botanist Makoto Nishimura (1883-1956). Nishimura had served as a professor at Hokkaido Imperial University, studied Marimo and was an editorial adviser to …
Read More “1928 – “Gakutensoku” Pneumatic Writing Robot – Makoto Nishimura (Japanese)”
Perhaps the most impressive robot show [from Expo'85] is at the Fuyo Robot Theater. In this exhibit hall, whose exterior is shaped like a pearl in an opening oyster, the robots basically have the run of the place, entertaining visitors with a complicated floor show. Through voice recognition and voice synthesis, visitors can actually communicate …
Read More “1985 – Marco and the Fuyo Robot Theater Expo’85 – Automax (Japanese)”
Machinery Service Robot: An Unmanned Conveyor Dainichi Kiko This waiter robot, priced at Y5 million, is one of a number of "amusement" robots that Dainichi has developed for use in restaurants and wedding halls. Performing eight basic operations, including the ability to speak sixteen different phrases, the waiter robot is capable of a wide range …
A display of robot models showing which robots were included by Tezuka in the Fujipan pavillion. The Symphonitoron. Robots appearing at an exhibition. Osamu Tezuka with his robots. Dancing robot rotates, and moves its arms. Catalogue entry. Blue photo-taking robot on the left. See the full Jiro Aizawa story here .