a history of cybernetic animals and early robots
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. …
Read More “1975 – “Roboteer” Mobile Remote Manipulator – MBAssociates (American)”
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, …
Read More “1976 – MF3 Manipulator Vehicle – Köhler (German)”
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 …
Read More “1966 – “Herman” Mobile Remote Manipulator – PaR Systems (American)”
The Los Alamos Minotaur—presumably so called because of its bull-like strength and man-like arms—is an exception to the statement that electrical unilateral manipulator arms are used singly (fig. 108 below). A pair of manipulator arms plus a second pair of adjustable arms holding lights and TV cameras protrude from a sphere-like turret supported from above …
Read More “1960 – “Minotaur” Remote Manipulator – General Mills (American)”
1970-2 – "Virgule" Remote-Controlled Manipulator. Virgule being demonstrated at an exhibition. See 1:14 and 4:16 into video clip. The MA22 arm (slave unit shown) was very innovative at the time. The motors counterbalance the rest of the arm. It was replaced in 1975 by the MA23 which is still highly successful today. The Virgule was …
Read More “1970-2 – “Virgule” Remote-Controlled Manipulator – Jean Vertut (French)”