The story of robots is a fascinating story in which people only dreamed of machines capable of doing hard, tedious or dangerous work for them, and then gradually made their dreams come true.
So how did robots evolve? We'll tell you in this article!
And if your child loves robots and computers, we're looking forward to seeing him at Progkids!
Where does the word robot come from?
Etymologically, the term “robot” comes from the Czech “robota”, which means “forced labor”. The word was first used by playwright Karel Capek in a play written 100 years ago. The play entitled “RUR” (“Rossum Universal Robots”) premiered in 1921 and was a great success all over the world. Thanks to this Czech play, the word “robot” is firmly established in different languages.
Ancient times
Already in ancient myths, images of artificial creatures designed to help humans appear. For example, in Greek mythology, Hephaestus creates golden helpers for people, and in Egyptian mythology, thanks to the goddess Hathor, a humanoid creature is born from clay.
Antiquity and the Middle Ages
The famous thinker Aristotle wrote about the potential of creating “automated tools” that could free people from hard work.
In the Middle Ages, the first mechanical toys appeared that could move, sing and dance. For example, in the 13th century, a mechanical dragon was created in China, and in the 15th century, mechanical dolls that mimic human behavior appeared in Europe.
The Renaissance
Leonardo da Vinci, a brilliant artist and inventor, designed mechanical knights capable of moving their limbs. These drawings show that the idea of creating robots was firmly occupied by the bright minds of geniuses.
The breakthrough of the 19th century
The Industrial Revolution had a key impact on the development of machine production. During this period, the first real robots appear — automated systems that perform specific tasks. For example, in 1801, Jacquard created a loom controlled by punch cards, and in 1832, Babbage proposed an analytical engine, the predecessor of the modern computer.
The Robot Age of the 20th Century
The beginning of the 20th century saw the first humanoid robots that could move and perform simple operations. After World War II, the development of robotics accelerated: robots began to find increasing use in industry. For example, they have begun to perform tasks that are dangerous for humans.
1950s, England
Elsie appears, the first light-sensitive electromechanical robot with internal and external stability. Its technical capabilities are still very limited.
1960s, Stanford Research Institute
Appears Shaky, a robot that already has tactile sensors and a video camera built into it. It can move on the ground thanks to two computers — onboard and remote, connected via radio.
70s
Mars Rover appears, a platform that combines a mechanical arm, proximity sensors, a laser telemetry device and stereo cameras. The robot is designed by NASA to explore hostile or unknown terrain.
21st Century: Robots Among Us
Robots have become an integral part of our lives. They work in factories, deliver packages, and help doctors and teachers. The development of artificial intelligence opens up new opportunities for creating even smarter and more powerful robots that can take on more and more functions that previously only humans could perform.
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