Menu
Home
People
Places
Arts
History
Plants & Animals
Science
Life & Culture
Technology
Reference.org
American robotics
open-in-new
<h2 id="history">History</h2> <p>In 1898 <a href="/facts/Nikola_Tesla/MzqGhnkj">Nikola Tesla</a> publicly demonstrated a radio-controlled <a href="/facts/Torpedo/RLLPpktk">torpedo</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7"><sup>7</sup></a> Based on patents for "teleautomation", Tesla hoped to develop it into a <a href="/facts/Weapon_system/IoMkCbpk">weapon system</a> for the <a href="/facts/US_Navy/xYK0fUou">US Navy</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8"><sup>8</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9"><sup>9</sup></a> </p><p>In 1926, <a href="/facts/Westinghouse_Electric_Corporation/Nln2BzI3">Westinghouse Electric Corporation</a> created Televox, the first robot put to useful work. In the 1930s, they created a humanoid robot known as <a href="/facts/Elektro/Y2c0z3sk">Elektro</a> for exhibition purposes, including the 1939 and 1940 <a href="/facts/World%2527s_Fair/FkkJJJ3W">World's Fairs</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10"><sup>10</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11"><sup>11</sup></a> </p><p><a href="/facts/Unimate/K7NNdbKF">Unimate</a> was the first <a href="/facts/Industrial_robot/fzf73DVv">industrial robot</a>,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12"><sup>12</sup></a> which worked on a <a href="/facts/General_Motors_Corporation/rBgP3IRK">General Motors</a> <a href="/facts/Assembly_line/uENUURd9">assembly line</a> in <a href="/facts/New_Jersey/pI5k19S7">New Jersey</a> in 1961.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13"><sup>13</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14"><sup>14</sup></a> It was created by <a href="/facts/George_Devol/Beob6xWJ">George Devol</a> in the 1950s using his original patents. Devol, together with <a href="/facts/Joseph_F._Engelberger/HVTaN9Iu">Joseph F. Engelberger</a> started <a href="/facts/Unimation/8CHoN0hh">Unimation</a>, the world's first robot manufacturing company.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15"><sup>15</sup></a> </p><p>In 2008 the <a href="/facts/U.S._Air_Force/7MxWBYlc">U.S. Air Force</a> <a href="/facts/174th_Fighter_Wing/2K0VuJLE">174th Fighter Wing</a> transitioned from <a href="/facts/F-16_Fighting_Falcon/0KRD0Gqy">F-16</a> piloted planes to <a href="/facts/MQ-9_Reaper/tjw5DSUk">MQ-9 Reaper</a> <a href="/facts/Unmanned_aerial_vehicle/qt87T19t">drones</a>, which are capable <a href="/facts/Remote_control/A9zmkgIV">remote controlled</a> or <a href="/facts/Autonomous/5ne4C7N8">autonomous</a> flight, becoming the first all-robot attack squadron.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:16" href="#fn:16"><sup>16</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:17" href="#fn:17"><sup>17</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:18" href="#fn:18"><sup>18</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="modern-robots">Modern robots</h2> <h3>Domestic</h3> <p class="note">Main article: <a href="/facts/Domestic_robot/loqfR0HD">Domestic robot</a></p> <ul><li><a href="/facts/PatrolBot/PVoyXQ7a">PatrolBot</a> a configurable guide/delivery/surveillance robot</li> <li><a href="/facts/Roomba/08ex70Md">Roomba</a> a <a href="/facts/Vacuum_cleaner/6WNLtcKy">vacuum cleaner</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Scooba_(brand)/AHxGyVo2">Scooba</a> a floor washer</li> <li><a href="/facts/Looj/WxA6l8TM">Looj</a> a <a href="/facts/Rain_gutter/PjqUR3yY">rain gutter</a> cleaner</li></ul> <h3>Entertainment</h3> <ul><li><a href="/facts/IRobot_Create/zNqwbCmg">iRobot Create</a></li></ul> <h3>Extraterrestrial</h3> <ul><li><a href="/facts/ATHLETE_(robot)/FGRwtobA">ATHLETE</a> lunar rover</li> <li><a href="/facts/Mars_Exploration_Rover/74WxIsHS">Mars Exploration Rover</a></li></ul> <h3>Medical</h3> <p class="note">Main article: <a href="/facts/Robotic_surgery/gLsQ3I1C">Robotic surgery</a></p> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Da_Vinci_Surgical_System/e7d7JJuU">Da Vinci Surgical System</a></li></ul> <h3>Military (offensive/multi-role)</h3> <p class="note">Main article: <a href="/facts/Military_robot/afynp2t8">Military robot</a></p> <h4>Aerial</h4> <ul><li><a href="/facts/MQ-8_Fire_Scout/k28GCQL0">MQ-8 Fire Scout</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/MQ-9_Reaper/tjw5DSUk">MQ-9 Reaper</a></li></ul> <h4>Terrestrial</h4> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Black_Knight_(vehicle)/JvJyMWru">Black Knight</a> unmanned tank</li> <li><a href="/facts/Gladiator_tactical_unmanned_ground_vehicle/NGU0AHI1">Gladiator tactical unmanned ground vehicle</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/MarkV-A1/FUkL8uxg">MarkV-A1</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Multifunctional_Utility%2fLogistics_and_Equipment/KTfHS7xq">MULE</a> / <a href="/facts/Armed_Robotic_Vehicle/Pd4mTyo0">XM1219</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/PackBot/6EFyK8V3">PackBot</a> / <a href="/facts/Small_Unmanned_Ground_Vehicle/fGsjtCr8">SUGV</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Foster-Miller_TALON/P7WeXcmI">TALON</a></li></ul> <h3>Military (non-offensive)</h3> <h4>Aerial</h4> <ul><li><a href="/facts/RQ-4_Global_Hawk/laQx9LQR">RQ-4 Global Hawk</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/RQ-7_Shadow/aswmdkoE">RQ-7 Shadow</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/RQ-14_Dragon_Eye/Us3oFAVH">RQ-14 Dragon Eye</a></li></ul> <h4>Terrestrial</h4> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Armored_Combat_Engineer_Robot/uoy6HMzh">ACER</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Battlefield_Extraction-Assist_Robot/Nt6dMTW1">Battlefield Extraction-Assist Robot</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/BigDog/p1pBn0AH">BigDog</a> <a href="/facts/Robotics/wkmvodJz">dynamically balancing</a> quadruped</li> <li><a href="/facts/Crusher_(robot)/b8bQV0De">Crusher</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Dragon_Runner/lepVHVAj">Dragon Runner</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/MATILDA_(Military_robot)/h2woS7qo">MATILDA</a></li></ul> <h3>Nanoscale</h3> <p class="note">Main article: <a href="/facts/Nanorobotics/LmFlh2IJ">Nanorobotics</a></p> <ul><li><a href="/facts/New_York_University/4UnIkThy">New York University</a> walking <a href="/facts/DNA/nB89Iauz">DNA</a> robot <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20081209021955/http://www.sciencentral.com/articles/view.php3?type=article&article_id=218392303">Smallest Robot: Science Videos - Science News - ScienCentral</a></li></ul> <h3>Walker</h3> <p class="note">Main article: <a href="/facts/Walker_(machine)/CMUte3By">Walker (machine)</a></p> <ul><li><a href="/facts/BigDog/p1pBn0AH">BigDog</a> <a href="/facts/Robotics/wkmvodJz">dynamically balancing</a> quadruped</li> <li><a href="/facts/Anybots/BLvTDjW0">Anybots</a> Dexter, the first <a href="/facts/Robotics/wkmvodJz">dynamically balancing</a> biped <a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:19" href="#fn:19"><sup>19</sup></a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Timberjack/wsDCpbDL">Timberjack</a> Walking Machine logger</li></ul> <h2 id="non-autonomous-human-operated">Non-autonomous (human operated)</h2> <p>These machines are human operated and not autonomous. Therefore, they do fit the classical description of a <a href="/facts/Robot/S5mDzWYk">robot</a>. </p> <h3>Exoskeleton</h3> <p class="note">Main article: <a href="/facts/Powered_exoskeleton/qMDlIbnE">Powered exoskeleton</a></p> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Berkeley_Lower_Extremity_Exoskeleton/DQ6cGlV9">Berkeley Lower Extremity Exoskeleton</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Sarcos/rsAWSE65">Sarcos</a>/<a href="/facts/Raytheon/wGGxdMoD">Raytheon</a> XOS Exoskeleton, currently the most advanced exoskeleton, research for the XOS is funded by <a href="/facts/DARPA/Uf9sarhT">DARPA</a> and <a href="/facts/NIST/gr9Fnh85">NIST</a> for use in the military and to "replace the wheelchair".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:20" href="#fn:20"><sup>20</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:21" href="#fn:21"><sup>21</sup></a></li></ul> <h3>Military</h3> <ul><li><a href="/facts/MQ-1_Predator/2dfhyuDC">MQ-1 Predator</a></li></ul> <h2 id="research">Research</h2> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Tufts_University/yglpUbAL">Tufts University</a> morphing chemical robot <a href="http://www.physorg.com/news134043071.html">Tufts to develop morphing 'chemical robots'</a></li></ul> <h2 id="software">Software</h2> <p class="note">Main article: <a href="/facts/Robotics_suite/rC2A1y7v">Robotics suite</a></p> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Microsoft_Robotics_Studio/nnHAcm3t">Microsoft Robotics Studio</a> - <a href="/facts/.NET_Framework/J6QDAUhP">.NET</a> based</li> <li><a href="/facts/VxWorks/DCajjp0d">VxWorks</a> - <a href="/facts/Operating_system/8XTuvMh2">operating system</a>, notably used by <a href="/facts/ASIMO/dTGmS9jf">ASIMO</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Robot_app_store/ex6Mm6GM">Robot App Store - Apps for every robot</a></li></ul> <h2 id="american-robotics-companies">American robotics companies</h2> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Anybots/BLvTDjW0">Anybots</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Barrett_Technology/6dhPxdHy">Barrett Technology</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Berkshire_Grey/Yw9wQzHp">Berkshire Grey</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Bluefin_Robotics/x0BWoT2X">Bluefin Robotics</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Boston_Dynamics/uPMLSwqy">Boston Dynamics</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Brooks_Automation/p6FhqRTK">Brooks Automation</a></li> <li>Cobalt Robotics</li> <li>Cobot Nation</li> <li>Diligent Robotics</li> <li><a href="/facts/Energid_Technologies/oPlEmga1">Energid Technologies</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Evolution_Robotics/kXmWhAm7">Evolution Robotics</a></li> <li>Fetch Robotics</li> <li><a href="/facts/Foster-Miller/uk3UuXT3">Foster-Miller</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Harvest_Automation/3VDnDbys">Harvest Automation</a></li> <li>Hydroid</li> <li>Inspectorbots</li> <li><a href="/facts/Intuitive_Surgical/jlc3wfzn">Intuitive Surgical</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/IRobot/7jCFqc1j">iRobot</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Kiva_Systems/6Qugzvmw">Kiva Systems</a></li> <li>Locus Robotics</li> <li>Mitsubishi Electric Automation - Robotics</li> <li>Myomo (myoelectric prosthetics)</li> <li><a href="/facts/Rethink_Robotics/plaEWRBH">Rethink Robotics</a></li> <li>Savioke</li> <li>SuperDroid Robots</li> <li><a href="/facts/Vecna_Robotics/HqQzVKJI">Vecna Robotics</a></li> <li>Vishwa Robotics</li> <li><a href="/facts/Willow_Garage/lVox1qKN">Willow Garage</a></li></ul> <h2 id="see-also">See also</h2> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Japanese_robotics/Kw3HFT2m">Japanese robotics</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Robots_in_warfare/afynp2t8">Robots in warfare</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Shadow_Hand/aLbAJhA4">Shadow Hand</a> British Robotics company</li> <li><a href="/facts/Underwater_robot/5lhSmeGH">Underwater robot</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Unmanned_aerial_vehicle/qt87T19t">Drone</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Terminator_(disambiguation)/3grKsuhF">Terminator</a>, movie about artificial intelligence</li></ul> <h2 id="external-links">External links</h2> <ul><li><a href="http://www.shadowrobot.com/">http://www.shadowrobot.com/</a></li></ul> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>Reminiscing on the Roomba <a href="http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2007/08/22/reminiscing-on-the-roomba/" target="_blank">http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2007/08/22/reminiscing-on-the-roomba/</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>The Rise Of The Droids <a href="http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htairfo/articles/20080811.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htairfo/articles/20080811.aspx</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>Nof, Shimon Y. (1999). Handbook of Industrial Robotics (2nd ed.). John Wiley & Sons. pp. 3–5. ISBN 978-0-471-17783-8. <a href="978-0-471-17783-8" target="_blank">978-0-471-17783-8</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>1961: The First Robot <a href="http://www.capitalcentury.com/1961.html" target="_blank">http://www.capitalcentury.com/1961.html</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>A Brief History of Exoskeletons <a href="http://www.popsci.com/node/20670" target="_blank">http://www.popsci.com/node/20670</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:6"><p>Smallest Robot Archived December 9, 2008, at the Wayback Machine <a href="http://www.sciencentral.com/articles/view.php3?type=article&article_id=218392303" target="_blank">http://www.sciencentral.com/articles/view.php3?type=article&article_id=218392303</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:7"><p>Cheney, Margaret (1989). Tesla, man out of time. New York: Dorset Press. ISBN 978-0-88029-419-5. <a href="978-0-88029-419-5" target="_blank">978-0-88029-419-5</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:8"><p>US 613809, Tesla, Nikola, "Method of and apparatus for controlling mechanism of moving vessels or vehicles", published 1898-11-08 <a href="https://worldwide.espacenet.com/textdoc?DB=EPODOC&IDX=US613809" target="_blank">https://worldwide.espacenet.com/textdoc?DB=EPODOC&IDX=US613809</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:9"><p>"Tesla - Master of Lightning". PBS.org. Archived from the original on 28 September 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-24. <a href="https://www.pbs.org/tesla" target="_blank">https://www.pbs.org/tesla</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:10"><p>"Robot Dreams : The Strange Tale Of A Man's Quest To Rebuild His Mechanical Childhood Friend". The Cleveland Free Times. Archived from the original on October 23, 2007. Retrieved 2008-09-25. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20071023054926/http://www.freetimes.com/stories/13/35/robot-dreams-the-strange-tale-of-a-mans-quest-to-rebuild-his-mechanical-childhood-friend" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20071023054926/http://www.freetimes.com/stories/13/35/robot-dreams-the-strange-tale-of-a-mans-quest-to-rebuild-his-mechanical-childhood-friend</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:11"><p>Scott Schaut (2006). Robots of Westinghouse: 1924-Today. Mansfield Memorial Museum. <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:12"><p>Nof, Shimon Y. (1999). Handbook of Industrial Robotics (2nd ed.). John Wiley & Sons. pp. 3–5. ISBN 978-0-471-17783-8. <a href="978-0-471-17783-8" target="_blank">978-0-471-17783-8</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:13"><p>1961: Installation of the First Industrial Robot <a href="http://world-information.org/wio/infostructure/100437611663/100438659325" target="_blank">http://world-information.org/wio/infostructure/100437611663/100438659325</a> <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:14"><p>Menzel, Peter; Faith D'Aluisio (2000). Robo sapiens: evolution of a new species. The MIT Press. pp. 186–189. ISBN 978-0-262-13382-1. <a href="978-0-262-13382-1" target="_blank">978-0-262-13382-1</a> <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:15"><p>1961: The First Robot <a href="http://www.capitalcentury.com/1961.html" target="_blank">http://www.capitalcentury.com/1961.html</a> <a href="#fnref:15" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:16"><p>The Rise Of The Droids <a href="http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htairfo/articles/20080811.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htairfo/articles/20080811.aspx</a> <a href="#fnref:16" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:17"><p>MQ-9 Reaper <a href="http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/mq-9.htm" target="_blank">http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/mq-9.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:17" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:18"><p>Unmanned Reapers bound for Iraq, Afghanistan <a href="http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2007/07/ap_reaper_070715/" target="_blank">http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2007/07/ap_reaper_070715/</a> <a href="#fnref:18" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:19"><p>Dexter Walks <a href="http://paulgraham.com/anybots.html" target="_blank">http://paulgraham.com/anybots.html</a> <a href="#fnref:19" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:20"><p>Building the Real Iron Man <a href="http://www.popsci.com/scitech/article/2008-04/building-real-iron-man?page=1" target="_blank">http://www.popsci.com/scitech/article/2008-04/building-real-iron-man?page=1</a> <a href="#fnref:20" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:21"><p>Building the Real Iron Man <a href="http://www.popsci.com/scitech/article/2008-04/building-real-iron-man?page=4" target="_blank">http://www.popsci.com/scitech/article/2008-04/building-real-iron-man?page=4</a> <a href="#fnref:21" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>