Robots have always captured the imagination of the human mind. Although the word 'robot' often paints a futuristic picture, the first designs of robots looked nothing like the ones we see today. The first 'prototypes' can be traced back to many centuries ago, where we had clocks powered by water and primitive machines controlled by hinges, pulleys and weights. These mechanisms became more complicated with the invention of devices that could log the movements of planets and stars, which the Greeks used, in the early days.
Leonardo Da Vinci designed an automaton covered in a knight's armour. In the 18th century, other creative inventors like Jacques de Vaucanson built manifestations of animals like birds and beetles that could fly or move like their real-life counterparts. Clock-makers also began creating clocks that used springs and interlocking gears. Through the years, advancements in machineries were constantly taking place. When Richard Arkwright completed his weaving machine in 1800, it initiated the Industrial Revolution. Automation is widely used today to save time and cost.
In 1833, Charles Babbage began work on his famous Analytical Engine, a device with columns and wheels that could compute and store numbers via punch cards. Though Charles could not complete his work, George Boole went on to invent Boolean logic in 1847, a calculating system of truth values that laid the foundations for future computer programming. By 1921, 'robot' became a household term derived from a popular play titled 'Rossum's Universal Robots', which portrayed how people became over-dependant on technology. During this time, robots were capable of completing menial work but had no 'memory' or ‘thinking abilities’. It was only the end of the 1940s that saw the start of the age of computing, where scientists began controlling these machines. Instructions to inform robots what to do and when, were first stored in magnetic tapes, before they were upgraded to the more familiar integrated circuits and optical discs.
In 1961, General Motors introduced the first industrial robot, Unimate, into its assembly line. Unimate would transport, wield and stack hot die-castings, a hazardous job for human workers. Its success subsequently paved the way for various robots to be implemented into many other industrial applications. Soon, the first microprocessor was invented in 1971. Four years later, the first personal computer was launched but the term 'PC' only became popular when IBM released their versions in 1981.
Various universities and companies continued to push the boundaries of robotics, while films like George Lucas' Star Wars further propelled the interest of robots in pop culture. In the field of science, an increasing number of orbiters and satellites were launched to explore space and our neighbouring planets. In the 1990s, robots like Dante II and Autosub were built to allow scientists to study previously inaccessible environments like volcanoes and deep oceans.
All these developments require robots to come in different shapes and sizes, some specifically designed to look and act like us. Humanoids are robots that resemble humans. In 2000, Honda unveiled ASIMO, a humanoid that could walk, run, communicate and interact with humans. Honda's updated version of ASIMO was revealed in 2005 with new characteristics and skills like the ability to climb up stairs. ASIMO took Honda more than a decade to construct and until today, they are still making improvements, thus revealing the complexities required to replicate basic human movements and mannerisms.
About the same time, Sony also released AIBO, a robotic pet built and behaved like a small dog. Today, with modern technology, the use of robots is steadily rising, along with their popularity. Through the ages, we have come to appreciate the ingenuity and aesthetic value of these amazing creations as they continue to fascinate and exceed our expectations.
With Matanya, or MTY, we are glad to expand upon this ever-advancing family of entertaining and educational robots. MTY is a little humanoid that can tell stories to children. With 16 movable parts, it is able to couple interesting storytelling with comprehensive physical movements to enhance the experience.
To date, robots have indeed come a long way from being just primitive machines. From the simple drawings of hinges and pulleys centuries ago to the complex humanoids capable of interaction today, robots have constantly changed with us, worked for us and entertained us. As such, it is without a doubt that they will always be a part of our future in the years to come.
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