Father of Robotic Technology Who Revolutionized Car-making
In any discussion of the latest robotic technology, whenever there’s a mention of the origins of robotics, everybody thinks of Isaac Asimov. Fair enough, the science-fiction writer coined the term, and we are pretty certain without him, the things we know today as robots would be known by far less exciting (and definitely lengthier) names. However, it is quite ironic that the man who is actually the father of robotic technology is hardly known except within the closed community of robotic technology developers and the geeks who follow them closely. Outside of these, even the people who have heard of George Devol, who passed away on the 18th of August this year aged 99, associate him more with the auto industry rather than as the man who revolutionized the world of robotics as we know it today.
The Early Years: A Prelude to Robotic Technology
Devol was born in 1912 in Louisville, Kentucky, to an affluent family. A boyhood fascination with all things electrical and mechanical, as well as exposure to fantastic comic books and science-fiction stories planted the seeds of the inspiration that drove Devol. And so, in retrospect, it is hardly surprising that George Devol built the real-life digitally programmed robotic arm that has since been used on car assembly lines and in similar industrial roles.
That, however, was no bolt out of the blue. At Riordan Prep, he got some practical experience on top of his classroom lessons by helping construct some buildings and running the school’s electric light plant. He was never an exceptional student, but he would devour any reading material he could get related to mechanics, and was especially interested in the applications of vacuum tubes as control devices. Devol decided to forgo a college education in favor of gaining more know-how working at various electronics companies before founding United Cinephone in 1932. His initial business interest was to produce variable area recording directly onto film for the new sound motion pictures (“talkies”), an emerging form of entertainment after the silent film era. Faced with stiff competition from companies already established in this line of work, like RCA and Western Electric, he decided to explore other possibilities. At this point, he felt the boyhood fascination with reemerging “what else can we do with all these photocells and vacuum tubes?”
The Early Years: A Prelude to Robotic Technology
Devol was born in 1912 in Louisville, Kentucky, to an affluent family. A boyhood fascination with all things electrical and mechanical, as well as exposure to fantastic comic books and science-fiction stories planted the seeds of the inspiration that drove Devol. And so, in retrospect, it is hardly surprising that George Devol built the real-life digitally programmed robotic arm that has since been used on car assembly lines and in similar industrial roles.
That, however, was no bolt out of the blue. At Riordan Prep, he got some practical experience on top of his classroom lessons by helping construct some buildings and running the school’s electric light plant. He was never an exceptional student, but he would devour any reading material he could get related to mechanics, and was especially interested in the applications of vacuum tubes as control devices. Devol decided to forgo a college education in favor of gaining more know-how working at various electronics companies before founding United Cinephone in 1932. His initial business interest was to produce variable area recording directly onto film for the new sound motion pictures (“talkies”), an emerging form of entertainment after the silent film era. Faced with stiff competition from companies already established in this line of work, like RCA and Western Electric, he decided to explore other possibilities. At this point, he felt the boyhood fascination with reemerging “what else can we do with all these photocells and vacuum tubes?”
Robotic Technology: The Future is Boring
The future of robotic technology is as interesting as robots are bound to be boring; eventually. Sounds contradictory? Think again.
Today, the latest robotic technology is well covered in the news to the point of overdoing it. A huge buzz is generated every time someone comes up with a robot that, say, can fetch you a drink, shake your hand, be your pet, or what have you. And what’s so exciting about robots, in fact or in fiction?
The Media Buzz Over Robotic Technology DevelopmentsWell, first of all, they’re unfamiliar enough for most people that robot fiction can get away with just about everything, no matter how absurd. And that brings us to the other thing: robotic technology is still very young. Like a young toddler receives attention for everything it does the first time: speaking, walking, running, trying to trip the person who taught it to walk, and so on, so it is with the latest robotic technology. So, with every new development and emerging possibility, robots are becoming more and more a part of everyday life, till one day robots become as commonplace as the household telephone. Come to think of it, maybe your friendly household telephone ITSELF would be a robot. After all, the world of robotic technology as we know it today is undergoing not just a vertical evolution but a lateral one as well. Not only are robots being invented and reinvented to perform various daily tasks, there are several devices that are fast approaching a level where it would not be wrong to call them robots.
Today, the latest robotic technology is well covered in the news to the point of overdoing it. A huge buzz is generated every time someone comes up with a robot that, say, can fetch you a drink, shake your hand, be your pet, or what have you. And what’s so exciting about robots, in fact or in fiction?
The Media Buzz Over Robotic Technology DevelopmentsWell, first of all, they’re unfamiliar enough for most people that robot fiction can get away with just about everything, no matter how absurd. And that brings us to the other thing: robotic technology is still very young. Like a young toddler receives attention for everything it does the first time: speaking, walking, running, trying to trip the person who taught it to walk, and so on, so it is with the latest robotic technology. So, with every new development and emerging possibility, robots are becoming more and more a part of everyday life, till one day robots become as commonplace as the household telephone. Come to think of it, maybe your friendly household telephone ITSELF would be a robot. After all, the world of robotic technology as we know it today is undergoing not just a vertical evolution but a lateral one as well. Not only are robots being invented and reinvented to perform various daily tasks, there are several devices that are fast approaching a level where it would not be wrong to call them robots.
Micro Robot Military Robots
ReconRobotics, Inc, a leading manufacturer of military utility micro-robot kits, announced today that it has been awarded a $4.8 million contract from the U.S. Army Rapid Equipping Force for 315 Recon Scout XT micro-robot kits and an equal number of SearchStickTM devices. The SearchStick enables warfighters to convert any Recon Scout Throwbot into a pole camera, which warfighters can use to see over compound walls, onto rooftops and into culverts. ReconRobotics plans to complete deliveries of these micro-robot systems by October 31, 2011.
Robot World News: Micro-Robot Systems for Better Combat Performance
The U.S. Army has ordered another 315 Recon Scout XT kits for dismounted fire teams. These 1-lb personal robots protect soldiers by providing immediate situational awareness and greater standoff distance during close quarter combat.
“The era of the personal robot has arrived for U.S. troops and, like the ballistic vest and night vision goggles, our Recon Scout XTs will save many lives,” said Ernest Langdon, Director of Military Programs for ReconRobotics. “We are extremely proud that the U.S. military has chosen ReconRobotics to help protect our warfighters as they conduct dismounted operations in theatre.”
Robot World News: Micro-Robot Systems for Better Combat Performance
The U.S. Army has ordered another 315 Recon Scout XT kits for dismounted fire teams. These 1-lb personal robots protect soldiers by providing immediate situational awareness and greater standoff distance during close quarter combat.
“The era of the personal robot has arrived for U.S. troops and, like the ballistic vest and night vision goggles, our Recon Scout XTs will save many lives,” said Ernest Langdon, Director of Military Programs for ReconRobotics. “We are extremely proud that the U.S. military has chosen ReconRobotics to help protect our warfighters as they conduct dismounted operations in theatre.”
Futuristic Robotic Technology
If the way latest robotic technology can be misunderstood, under-appreciated and negatively perceived needed a showcase, the movie “I, Robot” would be the perfect candidate.
Robotic arm sans fingers to help amputees grip better
This is a website for all the latest research, development and basically any news related to robotic science and engineering. This post covers a new concept of a robotic arm that grips without fingers.
Robotics Blog
This is a website for all the latest research, development and basically any news related to robotic science and engineering. This post covers a new concept of a robotic arm that grips without fingers.
RoboticsNedir
The RoboticsNedir robotics blog has the latest product releases and news from the robot world. Follow this robotics blog for all the newest robotic technology.
Roboticsnedir is a latest Robotics News and Technology blog which having all the information regarding robotics. Roboticsnedir is an online source for the latest Robotics News and Technology.
Robots as Vacuum Cleaners
Today, you can get just about all sorts of robots to perform various tasks, or even no task at all (pet robots!). For instance, robot vacuum cleaners can do all your tiresome cleaning work.
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