A visual timeline of landmark automation breakthroughs, from early showpiece automatons to the first industrial robot arms. These photos trace key steps in manipulation and mobility that led to modern robotics.

a woman standing next to a robot
https://images.computerhistory.org/timeline/timeline_ai.robotics_1939_elektro.jpg
a man working on a model of a robot
https://images.computerhistory.org/timeline/timeline_ai.robotics_1950.elsie_greywalter.jpg
a black and white photo of a robot
https://images.computerhistory.org/timeline/timeline_ai.robotics_1956.robby.jpg
a robotic arm holding a metal rod
https://images.computerhistory.org/timeline/timeline_ai.robotics_1961.unimate.jpg
close-up of a mechanical arm
https://images.computerhistory.org/timeline/timeline_ai.robotics_1963.rancho.arm.jpg
a close-up of a machine
https://images.computerhistory.org/timeline/timeline_ai.robotics_1965.orm.jpg
a robotic arm with many wires
https://images.computerhistory.org/timeline/timeline_ai.robotics_1969.stanfordarm.jpg
a metal object with flowers
https://images.computerhistory.org/timeline/timeline_ai.robotics_1976_softgripper.jpg
a machine on a cart
https://images.computerhistory.org/timeline/timeline_ai.robotics_1979.stanford.cart.jpg
a yellow and black machine
https://images.computerhistory.org/timeline/timeline_ai.robotics_1982.ibm7535.jpg
a close-up of a robotic arm
https://images.computerhistory.org/timeline/timeline_ai.robotics_1987.movemaster.jpg

Historical automation breakthroughs

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