History of Robot in Timeline

A robot is a programmable machine capable of automatically performing complex actions, guided by internal or external controls. While some robots are designed to resemble humans, most prioritize functionality over aesthetics, focusing on performing specific tasks efficiently.

1903: Telekino demonstrated by Leonardo Torres Quevedo

In 1903, Leonardo Torres Quevedo demonstrated the Telekino, a radio control system, at the Paris Academy of Sciences, aiming to control an airship of his own design.

1904: Telekino remotely controlled a tricycle

In 1904, the Telekino remotely controlled a tricycle, marking it as the first unmanned ground vehicle.

1906: Telekino remotely controlled an electric boat

In 1906, the Telekino remotely controlled an electric boat with a crew over a distance of 2 km.

1917: Archibald Low demonstrates remote controlled aircraft and builds wire-guided rocket

In 1917, Archibald Low, known as the 'father of radio guidance systems', demonstrated a remote-controlled aircraft to the Royal Flying Corps and constructed the first wire-guided rocket.

1920: Publication of "R.U.R." by Karel Čapek

In 1920, Karel Čapek introduced the word robot to the public in his play R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots), which is about a factory that manufactures living, simplified people called robots.

1920: First Use of the Word Robot in Karel Čapek's Play

In 1920, the word 'Robot' was first used in Karel Čapek's play R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots). The writer Karel Čapek was born in Czechoslovakia (Czech Republic).

1923: Term "robot" introduced

In 1923, Czech author Karel Capek coined the term 'robot' in his play "R.U.R.", derived from the Czech word 'robotnik' meaning 'forced worker'.

1926: Westinghouse Electric Corporation built Televox

In 1926, Westinghouse Electric Corporation built Televox, a cardboard cutout connected to devices that users could turn on and off.

1928: Japan's first robot, Gakutensoku, was designed and constructed

In 1928, Japan's first robot, Gakutensoku, was designed and constructed by biologist Makoto Nishimura.

1928: Humanoid robot Eric exhibited in London

In 1928, one of the first humanoid robots, Eric, was exhibited at the Model Engineers Society in London and delivered a speech.

1933: Karel Čapek explained the origin of the word 'robot'

In 1933, Karel Čapek explained that he wanted to call the creatures laboři, but sought advice from his brother Josef, who suggested roboti, which means literally 'corvée, serf labor' and figuratively 'drudgery, hard work' in Czech.

1939: Humanoid robot Elektro debuted

In 1939, the humanoid robot Elektro debuted at the New York World's Fair, capable of walking, speaking, smoking, and moving its head and arms.

1941: Earliest Recorded Use of the Word Robotics

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the first passage in Asimov's short story "Liar!" (1941) that mentions the First Law is the earliest recorded use of the word robotics.

1942: Asimov Introduces the Three Laws of Robotics

In 1942, Isaac Asimov introduced his Three Laws of Robotics in his short story "Runaround". Asimov considered the ideal set of instructions robots might be given to lower the risk to humans.

1948: First electronic autonomous robots created

In 1948, William Grey Walter created the first electronic autonomous robots in Bristol, England, marking a significant advancement in electronics-driven development.

1948: First electronic autonomous robots created by William Grey Walter

In 1948, William Grey Walter created the first electronic autonomous robots with complex behavior at the Burden Neurological Institute in Bristol, England.

1949: Construction of Elmer and Elsie Robots

In 1948 and 1949 William Grey Walter constructed his first robots, named Elmer and Elsie, which were capable of phototaxis and could find their way to a recharging station when low on battery power.

1954: First commercial robot built

In 1954, George Devol built the first commercial, digital, and programmable robot, named the Unimate.

1954: First digitally operated and programmable robot invented

In 1954, George Devol invented the first digitally operated and programmable robot, which was ultimately called the Unimate, laying the foundations of the modern robotics industry.

1960: Devol sold the first Unimate to General Motors

In 1960, Devol sold the first Unimate to General Motors.

1961: Unimate sold to General Motors

In 1961, the Unimate robot was sold to General Motors and used to lift hot metal at the Inland Fisher Guide Plant in New Jersey.

1961: Unimate installed in a plant in Trenton, New Jersey

In 1961, the first Unimate robot was installed in a plant in Trenton, New Jersey, to lift hot pieces of metal.

1963: First palletizing robot introduced

In 1963, the first palletizing robot was introduced by the Fuji Yusoki Kogyo Company.

1973: KUKA robotics patented a robot with six electromechanically driven axes

In 1973, KUKA robotics in Germany patented a robot with six electromechanically driven axes.

1974: Leachim (teaching computer)

In 1974, Leachim the teaching computer, which was an early example of speech synthesis using the Diphone synthesis method was created.

1976: 2-XL teaching toy

In 1976, 2-XL, a robot-shaped game/teaching toy, was created by Michael J. Freeman.

1976: Programmable universal manipulation arm invented

In 1976, Victor Scheinman invented the programmable universal manipulation arm, and the design was sold to Unimation.

1982: Predictions for future robot applications

As early as 1982, people predicted that robots would eventually be able to perform tasks like cleaning parts, spray-painting automobiles, packing boxes, making electrical cable harnesses, loading trucks, handling soft goods, shearing sheep, working as prostheses, cooking fast food, and working as household robots.

1992: Death of Isaac Asimov

Isaac Asimov, a prolific author known for his science-fiction stories, passed away in 1992. Asimov is best remembered for his robot stories, where he placed robots and their interaction with society at the center of many of his works.

2001: Release of 2001: A Space Odyssey

In 2001, the film 2001: A Space Odyssey was released. It is an example of popular media where the robot becomes evil.

Loading Video...

2007: Microsoft developing "Windows for robots"

Since 2007, Microsoft has been developing a "Windows for robots" system with its Robotics Developer Studio.

2008: Caterpillar Inc. developed a self-driving dump truck

In 2008, Caterpillar Inc. developed a self-driving dump truck, signaling a potential revolution in logistics.

2009: Conference on robot autonomy and potential hazards

In 2009, experts at an AAAI conference discussed the potential for robots to acquire autonomy and the possible threats and hazards associated with it, including semi-autonomy in finding power sources and independently choosing targets, as well as the emergence of "cockroach intelligence" in computer viruses.

2009: Japanese Government Issues Robot Industry Policy Committee Report

In 2009, the Japanese government's Robot Industry Policy Committee issued an official report. The report suggested a need to build "Friendly AI" and also include an effort to make AI intrinsically friendly and humane. Measures already existed and countries such as Japan and South Korea had begun to pass regulations requiring robots to be equipped with safety systems.

2010: "Plug & Pray" documentary film about social impact of intelligent robots

In 2010, the social impact of intelligent robots became the subject of a documentary film called Plug & Pray.

Loading Video...

July 2011: Foxconn announces robot replacement plan

In July 2011, Foxconn announced a three-year plan to replace workers with robots, increasing its robot count to one million.

2011: UCAV Flight Trials Expected to Begin

In 2011, flight trials were expected to begin for the BAE Taranis, a UCAV built by Great Britain. This UCAV is designed to fly across continents without a pilot and incorporates new methods to avoid detection.

September 2012: Baxter Industrial Robot Introduced

In September 2012, Rethink Robotics introduced the Baxter industrial robot, designed to safely work alongside humans and be easily programmable for simple tasks.

2012: Baxter robot introduced

In 2012, the Baxter robot was introduced, featuring learning by guidance, allowing workers to teach it tasks by moving its hands, which it memorizes.

May 2014: Baxter robots in commercial use

As of May 2014, 190 companies in the US and companies in the UK are using Baxter robots commercially.

2014: Caterpillar had a self-driving dump truck

By 2014, Caterpillar had a self-driving dump truck expected to greatly change the process of mining.

2015: Caterpillar trucks actively used in mining operations in Australia

In 2015, Caterpillar trucks were actively used in mining operations in Australia by Rio Tinto Coal Australia.

2015: Sawyer robot added

In 2015, the Sawyer robot was added, designed for smaller, more precise tasks.

2016: TV Adaptation of Westworld

In 2016, the TV adaptation of Westworld engaged audience sympathy for artificially intelligent robots.

Loading Video...

2017: Release of Horizon Zero Dawn

In 2017, the game Horizon Zero Dawn explores themes of robotics in warfare, robot ethics, and the AI control problem, as well as the positive or negative impact such technologies could have on the environment.

2018: Artists & Robots Exhibition in Paris

In 2018, Le Grand Palais in Paris organized an exhibition called "Artists & Robots", featuring artworks created by more than forty artists with the help of robots.

2019: Potential for robot brain existence

One scientific team suggested that a robot brain could exist by 2019.

2019: World Bank report on automation and job creation

The World Bank's World Development Report 2019 presented evidence that technological innovation creates more new industries and jobs on balance, despite worker displacement due to automation.

July 2020: Development of Mobile Robot Chemist

In July 2020, scientists reported the development of a mobile robot chemist. The modular robot can operate laboratory instruments, work nearly around the clock, and autonomously make decisions on his next actions depending on experimental results.