Humans have always been fascinated by the idea of creating machines that can think and work like us. The history of robotics is a long journey, moving from ancient dreams to modern factory machines. This story can be divided into two main parts: the early mechanical ideas and the modern electronic era.
The idea of a robot is very old. Long ago, inventors created simple mechanical devices called "automata." These machines moved automatically. For example, in ancient Greece, people built self-moving figures. Later, in the 15th century, Leonardo da Vinci designed a famous mechanical knight that could stand and move its arms. These devices showed an early interest in making life-like movement without human help. However, the word "robot" itself is much newer. It comes from the Czech word robota, meaning "forced labor," and was first used in a 1920 play by Karel Čapek.
The real age of modern robotics began after World War II. In the 1950s, engineers started combining mechanical designs with new electronic technology. A major breakthrough came in 1961 with the invention of the first digital and programmable robot, called Unimate. It was designed by George Devol and later successfully built by Joseph Engelberger, who is now often called the "Father of Robotics." Unimate was first used in a car factory to perform dangerous and difficult jobs, like handling hot metal. This invention started the use of robots in manufacturing worldwide.
Today, robotics has grown far beyond the factory floor. Robots now explore Mars, perform complex surgeries in hospitals, and assist people with disabilities. The latest step is adding powerful Artificial Intelligence (AI), which allows robots to learn, make decisions, and interact naturally with their environment. The journey from Da Vinci's mechanical knight to an AI-powered assistant shows how quickly our dreams of creating intelligent machines are becoming real.
