Robots have come a long way since Unimate, the first industrial robot, was a hydraulic manipulator arm used to build cars. Today, one of the most advanced robots, ASIMO, can even walk and climb stairs!
In this article, you’ll learn:
- Early robots in myths and ancient history
- The rise of industrial robots and their impact on manufacturing
- How modern robotics integrates AI to push the boundaries of what robots can do
Let’s start with the earliest concepts of robots from ancient times.
What is the history of robots?
Robots have a thought-provoking history that blends both imagination and technology, stretching back to the earliest days of human civilization. But what exactly does this history involve?
It turns out quite a lot, but we’ll get into the details below.
Today, robots are defined as machines capable of performing tasks on their own, either totally or with some human help, often with AI integration that allows them to learn and adapt to new information or circumstances.
Ancient origins of robotics
Believe it or not, robots have been a part of human imagination for centuries, not decades.
Let’s take a short trip down our collective memory lane:
- Mythological creations with a purpose: The idea of robots isn’t just a modern concept. Ancient myths are filled with stories of artificial beings designed to serve or protect. Take Talos, for example — a giant bronze warrior from Greek mythology. Talos was created to guard the island of Crete, tirelessly patrolling its borders and tossing boulders at unwanted visitors. Early robots, huh?
- Early tinkering and automation: The ancient Greeks weren’t just dreaming about robots — they were also building mechanical devices that could perform simple tasks. One of the first known inventors, Hero of Alexandria, crafted automata like a wine-pouring machine powered by steam. It sounds like the early blueprints of today’s coffee makers!
- Early Egyptian attempts: Egyptians made advancements, too. One of the first known automated devices was created around 150 BC. The Hydraulis, a water-powered pipe organ from ancient Greece, was the first keyboard instrument, showcasing early automation concepts, though it wasn’t exactly a robot.
The Industrial Revolution and early automation
The Industrial Revolution wasn’t just a paradigm shift for people but also machines. It gave us the first steps toward robots taking on jobs that once required human hands alone.
Let’s dive into how early automation began during this era:
- 18th-century automata: Inventors like Jacques de Vaucanson were showing off complex machines like his Digesting Duck (Marketing may not have been as advanced back then, though). The duck could flap its wings, drink water, and even mimic digestion. Sure, it was all for the show, but it got people thinking about what machines could really do — setting the stage for more practical uses.
- The Jacquard loom: In 1804, Joseph Marie Jacquard built the Jacquard loom, which used punch cards to control weaving patterns in textiles. This invention wasn’t just about making pretty fabrics — it was one of the first machines that could "follow instructions" to do a job. You can think of it as an early version of programming, way before computers came along and changed the whole game.
- Mechanical engineers take over: The 19th century witnessed more mechanical engineers applying scientific principles to create automation. Charles Babbage, the inventor of the first mechanical computer, expanded the notion of programming with his invention of the Analytical Engine. Although his invention wasn’t considered a robot by today’s standards, it laid the foundation for programmable machines, which would lead to programmable bots.
- Everyday automata: These early machines started popping up in homes and public spaces. From self-playing musical instruments to mechanical clocks, they showed how machines could begin to do jobs that people were used to doing themselves. This opened the door for robots to later take on more complex work.
20th century: Modern robotics begins
Now you’ll see the start of the history of industrial robots as robots evolved from science fiction concepts to real machines performing tasks in industries.
Here’s how it all unfolded:
- Development of industrial robots: The first industrial robot, Unimate, hit center stage in the 1960s. It was a heavy-duty robot designed to work in manufacturing plants, specifically to perform dangerous tasks that humans usually handled. It could weld, stack heavy objects, and run continuously without needing to stop — a major shift in how factories operated.
- Shakey the Robot: Developed by Stanford Research Institute in 1966, Shakey was the first general-purpose mobile robot that could make decisions about its environment. Shakey’s ability to analyze commands and respond to a set of instructions made it a groundbreaking step in the development of AI-driven robots.
- Big pioneers in robotics: George Devol and Joseph Engelberger are two names you need to know. Devol invented the first programmable robot (Unimate), and Engelberger helped commercialize it. Together, they pretty much founded the industrial robotics industry, giving companies like General Motors the ability to automate large chunks of their manufacturing process.
- Rise of robots in everyday use: After the success of industrial robots, other industries started jumping in. Robots began appearing in everything from aerospace (handling tasks like welding airplane parts) to healthcare, where they performed more delicate jobs, like helping out with surgeries. These early developments laid the foundation for the increasingly robot-driven world we live in today.
The rise of AI and robotics in the 21st century
The 21st century saw robots get a serious upgrade, with artificial intelligence being integrated into robotics, pushing boundaries beyond just mechanical automation. For the first time, robots started to do something akin to “thinking.”
Here’s what made it happen:
- AI-driven decision-making: Robots weren’t just following simple instructions anymore. With AI, robots could now think for themselves (well, sort of). They could process data in real time, adapt to changing environments, and even make decisions without human input. This made them way more useful in industries where conditions change quickly — like logistics or healthcare.
- More industries hop on board: Now that robots are smarter and more flexible, industries from manufacturing to retail have started using them. Robots began handling everything from inventory management in warehouses to performing surgeries in hospitals. And they weren’t just limited to factories anymore. You could find them in offices, stores, and even schools.
- Personal robots: In the 21st century, companies like iRobot launched consumer-friendly devices like the Roomba, an AI-powered vacuum cleaner. These household robots are designed to make life easier, showcasing the leap from industrial robots to everyday use. Even though their jobs are simple compared to manufacturing robots, their use of AI has paved the way for other personal-use robots in healthcare, education, and even companionship.
- The evolution of robot programming: As robotics forged ahead, so did programming methods. Early robots had to be manually programmed for each task. With AI, robots like the Yaskawa Motoman series and RO1 by Standard Bots can learn from experience. They process data, adjust their operations, and improve over time, which is a massive leap forward from their rigid predecessors.
The societal impact of robots
With every major milestone in robotics, there has been plenty of debate on the role of robots in society.
Let’s take a look:
- Job displacement: As robots began to take over repetitive jobs during the Industrial Revolution, concerns about unemployment began to surface. This concern has only grown with the rise of AI robots. However, the focus has since shifted to how humans and robots can collaborate effectively in the future.
- Ethical considerations: Who is responsible when a robot messes something up? This is especially important when considering autonomous robots in sectors like healthcare and self-driving cars and trucks. Ethical frameworks and regulations are now being developed to ensure that these technologies are used in a way that benefits humanity while mitigating risks.
Summing up
The history of robots time has shifted from the stuff of legends and automaton entertainment to becoming vital tools in industries, homes, and even space.
Over time, the integration of AI, advanced control systems, and improved sensors have pushed robots into new areas, making them smarter, faster, and more capable than ever before.
As we start to look beyond history, the evolution of automation continues to shape industries, promising more innovation and opportunities for businesses to start leveraging automation in their favor.
RO1 by Standard Bots: A modern solution for practical automation
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