a history of cybernetic animals and early robots
Self-recognition and the Mirror Dance [Image source: An Imitation of Life, Scientific American, May 1950, p42-45.] 7 . Self-recognition. The machines are fitted with a small flash-lamp bulb in the head which is turned off automatically whenever the photo-cell receives an adequate light signal. When a mirror or white surface is encountered the reflected light …
Read More “W. Grey Walter’s Tortoises – Self-recognition and Narcissism”
The published posts for W. Grey Walter and his Tortoises. ELMER – a new species of animal – M. speculatrix ELSIE – M. speculatrix ELSIE – upgraded CORA – the tortoise – M. docilis Grey Walter’s Tortoises – the video clips Time-Lapse Photographs of ELMER with ELSIE W. Grey Walter and the Festival of …
Some more photos of W. Grey Walter and his Tortoises. BNI archives, courtesy of Owen Holland. BNI archives, courtesy of Owen Holland. BNI archives, courtesy of Owen Holland BNI archives, courtesy of Owen Holland BNI archives, courtesy of Owen Holland. BNI archives, courtesy of Owen Holland BNI archives, courtesy of Owen Holland BNI archives, courtesy …
Seymour Papert's Turtle is included in this category for various reasons: 1. It marks the start of the continuance of our need for realization of concepts in the real world, satisfying our thousands of years old quest to build objects that mimic living things, (typically man's own image, but animals as well). 2. The minimal …
Read More “1969 – The Logo Turtle – Seymour Papert et al (Sth African/American)”
A significant feature of the tortoises is so often referred to as "An Imitation of Life". As well as their behaviour, the tortoises construction had to be such that autonomy could be exhibited. This is somewhat driven by the technology and parts available at the time. For Grey Walter's purposes, the models had to be self-contained …
Read More “Grey Walter’s Tortoises – Batteries, Re-charging, Hutches and Autonomy”