The Story of the Robot: A Short History of Automation and Robotics

Since the 18th century, automation has driven progress in manufacturing, transforming the workplace and contributing to the massive increase in living standards enjoyed by most people in the developed world over this period. A robot is a specific example of automation technology, one that can perform a complex sequence of actions automatically without manual intervention. Originally confined to manufacturing, robotic technology is now entering many other areas of our lives, from our domestic appliances to medical devices, and recent developments in self-driving vehicles are bringing some of the most sophisticated examples of the technology onto our roads.

The Story of the Robot examines the history of the robot within the wider context of automation, thereby allowing the reader to fully appreciate the origins and evolution of robotic systems. It begins by tracing the historical roots of robotics through the development of automata and mechanical toys. The next four chapters guide the reader on a whistle-stop tour across more than 300 years of automation history. Chapter 6 charts the rise of humanoid robots, beginning with their first appearance in science fiction stories to their physical realisation at the end of the 20th century. In Chapter 7, the use of autonomous control technology in mobility applications is surveyed, from the earliest self-steering vehicles to autonomous robots and self-driving cars. The final chapter brings the story up to date with the new industrial revolution now taking place as a result of the application of digitalisation and interconnectivity technologies to manufacturing.

Each chapter contains a selection of carefully chosen images and includes a further reading list for those readers who wish to delve deeper into the technical details.