Robotics have been around for decades, with a rich history in both business and consumer applications, which we will explore here on this blog. However, we are at an interesting precipice in time where we can now combine robotics with new intelligence that comes from gen AI (artificial intelligence). Let’s take some time to explore the wide world of robotics—yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
A Robotics History Lesson
A robot will often drum up an image of a helper—think Rosie from the Jetsons—or a machine rising-up—imagine Terminator. Stanford suggests the reality is the term robotics was first coined by Russian-born American science-fiction writer Isaac Asimov in 1942 in his short story Runabout. He generally characterized the robots in his short stories as helpful servants of man.
What then is a robot? Is it a helper? In 1979, the Robot Institute of America defined a robot as a reprogrammable, multifunctional manipulator designed to move material, parts, tools, or specialized devices through various programmed motions for the performance of a variety of tasks.
The reality is, by this definition, man has been using robotics for centuries. Just think around 3000 B.C., Egyptian water clocks used human figurines to strike the hour bells. Also, hydraulically operated statues that could speak, gesture, and prophecy were commonly constructed in Hellenic Egypt during the second century B.C.
More modern robotics came about in the early 1950s. George Devol patented a reprogrammable manipulator called Unimate, from Universal Automation. In the late 1960s, businessman/engineer Joseph Engleberger acquired Devol’s robot patent and was able to modify it into an industrial robot and form a company called Unimation to produce and market the robots. For his efforts and successes, Engleberger is known in the industry as the Father of Robotics.
And, thus, we saw the birth of robotics in business.
Robotics: Where Are We Now?
Robotics span several industries, from industrial automation, to healthcare, to construction. Here are a few recent examples.
Bricklaying robotics: These robots will reimagine how contractors build both on-site and off-site. As one example, Monumental was founded in 2021 by CEO Salar al Khafaji and CTO Sebastiaan Visser. Now they have brought together artificial intelligence, autonomous technology, and low-cost hardware to develop robots that are capable of working on-site. This can help increase productivity, improve accuracy, and heighten safety on a construction jobsite.
Robots destroy cancer: Robotics can play a big role in healthcare as well, helping with invasive surgery, as an example. As one example, the Paoli-Calmettes Institute is using the Epione Quantum Surgical robotic platform, which can destroy cancerous tumors. This is only the fourth center in the world to offer this minimally invasive treatment. This will enable doctors to treat more patients and enhance the quality of life and reduce after-effects.
Of course, these are only a few examples. We know robotics are widely used in manufacturing, packaging, managing our supply chains, and optimizing our warehouses. We see RoboGeorgia, a coalition of industry leaders, academic institutions, and community organizers, announced its founding Executive Committee and mission to establish Georgia as a leading hub for robotics and automation innovation.
Robotics: What Comes Next?
In the future, we can expect robotics will become smarter with the help of gen AI. Tim Linsenmeyer, chief technology officer at Clover Environmental Solutions, told me that as labor shortages and costs continue to rise, robotics’ usage will continue to accelerate as well, as robots can maximize productivity, improve quality, enhance safety, and enable costs to go down.
As we continue to look to the future, we must begin to plan and prepare for how robotics will come and work alongside humans, enabling new opportunities for workplaces. Have you considered the role of robots in your business? If not, now might be a good time to do so.
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