Introduction-to-Robotics.pdf

 Hero of Alexandria Al-Jazari  Heron Alexandrinus was a Greek born in 10AD in Alexandria. He was a mathematician and an engineer considered to be one of the greatest inventors of ancient times.  Hero named his steam-powered machine after Aeolus, the Greek god of wind. His d...

 Hero of Alexandria Al-Jazari  Heron Alexandrinus was a Greek born in 10AD in Alexandria. He was a mathematician and an engineer considered to be one of the greatest inventors of ancient times.  Hero named his steam-powered machine after Aeolus, the Greek god of wind. His description of the device and how to use it was relatively brief on his treatise called “Pneumatics”.  It illustrates how steam pressure can be used to produce rotational motion, a fundamental concept behind steam engines and turbines. It is also known as “Hero's engine” that demonstrates basic principles of steam propulsion. Archimedes invented one of the first steam driven devices in 330BC. The invention was a steam- powered cannon, fueled by water heated over coals.  The idea of using steam for propulsion existed in ancient times, but there is no solid evidence that Archimedes specifically created such a device.  Ctesibius who in 250BC invented a water-filled metal sphere that rotated when heated or placed in water. “It could be the inspiration behind Hero’s aeolipile.”  Although the exact design and function of Ctesibius’s water-filled sphere are not well-documented, it is thought to illustrate concepts related to the behavior of fluids and their interactions with mechanical devices.  Ismail Al-Jazari was a prominent medieval Islamic engineer, inventor, and mathematician.  Al-Jazari’s most famous work, completed in 1206, is a comprehensive treatise on mechanical devices and automata.  Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci Jacques de Vaucanson Joseph Marie Jacquard  Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci is renowned for his contributions to art, science, engineering, anatomy, and many other fields. In the 15th century, Leonardo da Vinci sketched designs for a mechanical knight, showcasing an early vision of humanoid robots.  Jacques de Vaucanson was an 18th-century French inventor renowned for his pioneering work in automata, which are self-operating machines or robots. One of his most famous creations was the automated duck, also known as Vaucanson's duck.  Joseph Marie Jacquard was a French inventor best known for his development of the Jacquard loom, a key innovation in the history of weaving and the textile industry.  Karel Čapek Isaac Asimov  Karel Čapek was a Czech writer, playwright, and journalist known for his influential works in science fiction that often explored themes of technology, society, and human nature.  The term "robot" comes from the Czech word robota, which means "forced labor" or "drudgery." The word is derived from rabu, meaning "serf" or "slave," reflecting the idea of labor performed under compulsion.  R.U.R (Rossum’s Universal Robots) is a 1920 play where robots are artificial, human-like beings created to serve humans but eventually rebel against their creators.  Isaac Asimov was a prolific American author and biochemist, widely recognized for his substantial contributions to science fiction and popular science.  The positronic brain is a fictional concept that serves as the robot's "mind," enabling advanced cognitive functions and complex interactions with humans. It is a central component that allows robots to think, reason, and make decisions.  George Devol and Joseph Engelberger  George Devol was a groundbreaking inventor who developed the concept of the programmable robot and co- founded Unimation with Joseph Engelberger.  Joseph Engelberger was a pioneering figure in robotics, often referred to as the "father of industrial robotics."  They developed the first industrial robot, Unimate, which was installed in a General Motors plant in 1961.  It is the world's first industrial robot. It was filed in 1954 and granted in 1961. It was first used for welding and material handling and significantly impacted the efficiency and precision of manufacturing processes.  Unimation was founded in 1956 and became the first company dedicated to industrial robots. This was acquired in 1989 by Swiss company ABB (Asea Brown Boveri).  David Hanson Jr. is an American roboticist who is the founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Hanson Robotics, a Hong Kong-based robotics company founded in 2013.  Sophia, the advanced social humanoid robot, is known for her lifelike appearance and conversational abilities. Sophia was activated on February 14, 2016.  Sophia, the advanced social humanoid robot, is known for her lifelike appearance and conversational abilities. Sophia was activated on February 14, 2016.  In November 2017, Sophia was named the United Nations Development Programme's first Innovation Champion, and is the first non- human to be given a United Nations title.