Technology and us - Lets learn about different types - Part 4 Robotics- Info, research and craft for kids

Since many many years ago people have created, developed and tried to better robotics.  This does not only refer to a robot that can complete tasks, but different machinery like a special mechanical arm that can be programmed to do certain tasks like assembling a car.

The development of robotics have come a long way and people are still trying to make better ones every day.  

Lets have a look at a timeline showing the different changes that took place and what robotics people developed through the ages.

• 1495 - Leonardo da Vinci was one of the most clever and talented scientists of all times and he already made a sketch of a 'humanoid robot' as early as 1495.

                                                           

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• 1700-1900 - during this time different types of robots were created and even a mechanical duck that could flap its wings and even swallow food.  This duck was made by Jacques de Vaucanson.  Read more here about this brilliant inventor.

                                      

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• 1913 - not only did Henry Ford play a huge role in designing and making the first car but he also installed the first conveyor belt that moved and formed the assembly line in his factory.  The Model T Ford could be assembled in 53 minutes because of this belt

 

1920 Karel Capek coins the word ‘robot’ to describe machines that resemble humans in his play called Rossums Universal Robots. The play was about a society that became enslaved by the robots that once served them.This idea is now a common theme in popular culture, ie Frankenstein, Terminator, The Matrix etc.

• 1932 - this was the year that a toy which was a robot was produced in Japan.  The robot was 15 cm high and was made of tin.  You had to wind it up to make it walk and it was named "Lilliput'.  See if you can find a picture or video on this toy.
• 1941 - a man called Isaac Asimov wrote a book on the 'laws of robotics'.  Here he mentioned a few things that robots may not do like they may not hurt humans, but it must obey the humans and the orders given.  A robot may protect itself without harming any humans.

Do some research and find at least 5 more dates when there was advances on robotics or people designed impressive robots or machines that could help humans in production.

You are going to make your own robot.  You can design it, it does not have to work, but if you can make it work that will be great.  Try and use as much recycled material as possible.  Use your own ideas or have a look at this video.