1961 – Submaray Submersible by Doug Privitt started being built in 1961 and was launched in 1962. Privitt inside Submaray operating the simple rod manipulator arm. It appears to slide inside a ball-and-socket joint, as can be seen in the video clip. Although a simple setup, this arm is quite efficient and versatile. The …
 The SP-350 Denise, famous as the "Diving saucer" (Soucoupe plongeante), is a small submarine designed to hold two people, and is capable of exploring depths of up to 400 metres (1,300 ft). It was invented by Jacques-Yves Cousteau and engineer Jean Mollard at the French Centre for Undersea Research. It was built in the …
1940 – Diving Bell Arm With Grippers by Friedrich Gall Working arm with grippers for diving chambers Publication number DE738760 C Publication date Aug 31, 1943 Filing date Feb 6, 1940 Inventor Friedrich Gall Patent Citations (4), Referenced by (3), Classifications (3) External Links: DPMA, Espacenet See other related Friedrich Gall inventions here and here. …
1913 – Manipulator Arm For Diving Bell by Charles Petit. Moving means for the Arbeitsgeraet of diving equipment Publication number DE321916 C Publication date Jun 15, 1920 Filing date Mar 5, 1913 Applicant Charles Petit See German patent here. See other early Underwater Robots here.