1930 – Teleoperated “Flying Robot” – Russell Keaton (American)

Published December 2, 1930. Buddy Deering: "For a Iong time I had been thinking of a Flying Robot – Radio-controlled with Attractor-beam propulsion. I had it built…..with this control box I can make it do anything and talk through it." Sundays / Buck Rogers S03 – Mysterious Saturnian (1930-09-14 to 1930-11-30). The Fair Prisoner (Sept …

1929 – “Robot #792” Mobile Remote Robot – Philip Francis Nowlan / Dick Calkins (American)

On Wednesday, July 24, 1929, a Buck Rogers cartoon strip was published depicting 'Iron Men', robots that are operated by radio control. It said that "each Robot's receiver and transmitter is permanently tuned to its own control box, and it can be controlled through no other." The robot's eyes  included a lens for television transmission, …

1975 – “Roboteer” Mobile Remote Manipulator – MBAssociates (American)

Walking the Thing Roboteer, who was manufactured by a firm in San Ramon, California, is accompanied by employee Judy Bently as the mechanized marvel uses its own street crossing on its way to an unannounced destination. Officials say the robot is designed to perform functions which are considered hazardous to more ordinary and fragile mortals. …

1976 – MF3 Manipulator Vehicle – Köhler (German)

MF3 Blocher-Motor GmbH & Co. KG, Metzingen, West Germany CMS Technologies, Inc., Ft. Lee, N.J., U.S. Distributor This device is a remotely controlled, tethered 4-tracked vehicle which is used in the nuclear industry and other hazardous environments. It was initially conceived and developed at the KFA Julich Research Laboratory in West Germany. Its single, light-duty, …

1966 – “Herman” Mobile Remote Manipulator – PaR Systems (American)

The PaR-1 mobile manipulator. The vehicle and manipulator are powered and controlled by cable. The manipulator arm and the two TV cameras are mounted on articulated booms. The height of the central support tube is 68 inches. PaR was a subsiduary of GCA when this model came out. PaR-1 with its remote operating console. It …