a history of cybernetic animals and early robots
Mechanical Men and Robot Models from various Meccano Instruction Manuals. 1931 Mechanical Man AMONG the many mechanical marvels that scientists tell us will be common sights in the year 2031 A.D., none can be of greater interest than the " robots " or mechanical men which, we are assured, wilt be used to perform almost …
Read More “Early Meccano Robot Models – Frank Hornby et al (British)”
The Walking Gyro was conceived and built by John Jameson in 1981. Article Source: Robotics Age, January 1985. THE WALKING GYRO John W Jameson 275 E. O'Keefe #7 Palo Alto, CA 94303 Walking machines generally fall into one of two categories: statically balanced or dynamically balanced. A statically balanced machine maintains stability at every position …
Read More “1981 – The Walking Gyro – John W. Jameson (American)”
There are various websites that contain the full pdf of Meccano Instruction manuals and Meccano Magazines. You can download them from nzmeccano.com . An early model from 1975. See also Wes Dalefield's excellent site on the Meccano Giant Walking Dragline here. See real Walking Draglines and illustrations on the walking mechanism here.
1925 Nilsson Walking Tractor It is not always possible to use vehicles with wheels, especially when the ground is heavy and the surface uneven. The problem of overcoming the difficulty has long occupied the attention of inventors, and a new type of transmission was evolved when caterpillar action was used for the tanks during the …
Read More “1928 – Meccano Walking Tractor – A. L. Spilhaus (Sth African) and C. Lee (British)”
Andreas Konkoly, a renowned Meccanoman, built many walking machines and robots in his lifetime. This reproduction, by S. Tokarski shows the Magic Motor (clockwork spring) power drive. For weight distribution and size, the drive is mounted in the rickshaw, and a driveshaft extends forward to the walking mechanism in the "Coolie". The walking motion is rather simplistic, …
Read More “Meccano Walking Rickshaws – Andreas Konkoly (Hungarian) and 2005 Phil Edwards (American)”