a history of cybernetic animals and early robots
TUMBLING EXPLORER, or TEX, was an early design conceived by Space General. It resembles an oyster shell and is extremely manoeuverable. It could be dropped from an unmanned spacecraft ready for action. A TV camera is contained in each panel and operates on radio command. The three illustrations above illustrate the way in which the …
Read More “1963 – “TEX” – TUMBLING EXPLORER – David W. Beck (American)”
Space General designers have built an insect-like vehicle with six legs, two arms, a triangular body, a solar-cell panel, and an antenna. The left arm, ending in a claw, picks up objects to examine. The right one holds a TV camera to do the looking – and to see where the vehicle is walking. This …
Read More “1961 – Moonwalker Lunar Rover – Space General Corp. (American)”
As a child, I really wanted one of these! Of the three built, two may still be in existance at the Rancho Los Amigos. **Video clip via youtube – has both the Moon walker prototype and the chair** Either an early version, or the prototype for the later Iron Mule Train see here. Cam-leg set-up …
Read More “1966 – “Moonwalker” Disability Walker – Jack Miller / W.C. Baldwin / Brodsky (American)”