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Robotics evolution from industrial machines to intelligent humanoids
The evolution of robotics has transitioned from simple industrial machines to intelligent humanoids. Historically, the concept of the robot emerged from science fiction and myths, aiming to delegate heavy, dangerous, or monotonous tasks to machines.
A significant milestone occurred in 1961 with Unimate, a programmable mechanical arm used at a General Motors plant in the United States. This technology revolutionized industries such as automotive, electronics, and logistics by performing repetitive tasks with precision, which transformed human labor by creating new roles in programming and maintenance.
Further advancements led to the development of perception in robots. Between 1966 and 1972, the Stanford Research Institute developed Shakey, a robot capable of observing its environment, calculating routes, and executing basic actions.
Entities
General Motors · Karel Capek · Stanford Research Institute · Unimate