History of the First Robot

This lecture delves into the fascinating history of robots, starting 3300 years ago with the ancestors of robots, the automatons. It explores the evolution from water clocks to steam-powered flying pigeons, mechanical elephants, and humanoid automatons created for entertainment and marketing purposes. The lecture also covers the transition from automatons to practical robots, highlighting key figures like Vaucanson, Jacquard, Babbage, and Ada Lovelace. It culminates with the story of Electric Dog, the first robot designed to navigate towards light sources, inspired by the phototropism theory. The lecture emphasizes the significance of bio-inspiration in robotics, showcasing how simple mechanisms can lead to complex behaviors, as demonstrated by Electric Dog's groundbreaking contribution to science.