a history of cybernetic animals and early robots
1968-69 – Deepstar 2000 Diving Saucer by Westinghouse. The manipulator arm is simple as per all Cousteau/Westinghouse submersibles of this period with only two degrees of freedom. The arm is electro-hydraulic and the claw is of the clam-shell type, also referred to as an "orange peel" claw. Arm is also mechanically jettisonable for safety reasons. …
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Image source: Popular Mechanics, August 1963. 1962 – Deepstar 4000 Diving Saucer – Jacques-Yves Cousteau / Westinghouse launched in 1965. 26 Jun 1962-NEW YORK: William E. Knox, president of Westinghouse International, demonstrates the flexibility of a remote control arm, part of a unique deep-sea vehicle at a 6/26(/62) press conference. The new self-propelled vehicle, to …
ROBOTIAN-LIKE COSTUMED FIGURE – Ernest Walling – see full patent design here. Patent number: D171959 Filing date: May 27, 1953 Issue date: Apr 1954 It looks as if it was easier for Westinghouse to use people inside Robot costumes going forward. The old robots Vocalite, Elektro, were getting on and probably costly to run.
Most likely the prototype Sparko, as distinguished by the dents and course finish of the side of his body, unless he's undergone some damage somehow. Its been suggested by others that Sparko only moved his hind legs, and that his front 'paws' were rollers. From photographic evidence, I believe Sparko was built faithful to the …
Colour photo of Elektro at the 1939-40 World's Fair held in New York. ELEKTRO- "the Moto-Man This 260-lb. mechanical man at the New York World's Fair 1939 walks, talks, smokes, and selects colors! His anatomy includes an "electric eye," 48 relays, 11 motors, a microphone, grid-glow tube, and amplifiers. THIS mighty automaton …