Robot

In practical usage, a robot is an autonomous or semi-autonomous device which performs its tasks either by direct human control, partial control with human supervision, or completely autonomously. Robots are typically used to do tasks that are too dull, dirty, or dangerous for humans. Industrial robots used in manufacturing lines used to be the most common form of robots, but that has recently been replaced by consumer robots cleaning floors and mowing lawns. Other applications include toxic waste cleanup, underwater and space exploration, surgery, mining, search and rescue, and mine finding. Robots are also finding their way into entertainment and home health care.

History

Czech writer Karel ?apek introduced the word "Robot" in his play "R.U.R" (Rossum's Universal Robots) in 1921. "Robot" in Czech comes from the word "robota", meaning "labor". The earliest ideas that could be related to the robotics of today was in 350 B.C. by the Greek mathematician Archytas of Tarentum. He created a mechanical bird he called ?The Pigeon.? The bird was propelled by steam.

Related Topics:
Czech - Karel ?apek - Archytas of Tarentum

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The first recorded design of a humanoid robot was made by Leonardo da Vinci around 1495. Da Vinci's notebooks, rediscovered in the 1950s, contained detailed drawings for a mechanical knight that was apparently able to sit up, wave its arms, and move its head and jaw. It is not known whether or not he attempted to build the robot.

Related Topics:
Leonardo da Vinci - 1495

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The first known functioning robot was created in 1738 by Jacques de Vaucanson, who made an android that played the flute.

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Many consider the first robot in the modern sense to be a teleoperated boat, similar to a modern ROV, devised by Nikola Tesla and demonstrated at an 1898 exhibition in Madison Square Garden. Based on his patent 613,809 for "teleautomation", Tesla hoped to develop the "wireless torpedo" into an automated weapon system for the United States Navy.

Related Topics:
Nikola Tesla - United States Navy

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In the 1930s, Westinghouse Electric Corporation made a humanoid robot known as Elektro. It was exhibited at the 1939 and 1940 World's Fairs.

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The first electronic autonomous robots were created by Grey Walter at Bristol University, England in 1948.

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