I. AM. ROBOT.

The first ever robots were known as automatons created by the Ancient Greek and Romans. They were used as tools, toys, and for religious ceremonies. The Greek God Haephestus was believed to have built a giant automaton named Talos. Here is a picture:

In the Middle Ages, in the Middle East and Europe, automatons were used as parts of clocks and religious worship. A man named Al-Jazari left texts describing mechanical devices. In Europe, an automaton monk that kisses a cross in his hands was created shown here:

Jacques de Vaucanson, a French engineer, is credited with creating the first biomechanical automaton. His automaton played the flute. Automata were so popular that they traveled Europe entertaining heads of state such as Frederick the Great and Napoleon Bonaparte.

Charles Babbage worked to develop the fundamentals and basis of computer science. His most-successful projects were the analytical engine and the difference engine.

During the Industrial Revolution, automatons continued to entertain many people. Machines were mainly steam-powered. Factories employed the work of machines to increase works loads and/or precision.

In 1920, Karel Capek published a play called R.U.R. or Rossum's Universal Robots. This was the first use of the word "robot." This word comes from an old Slavic word for forced labor.

In the 1950s, George Devol created the Unimate, a robotic arm. Devol paired with Joseph Engelberger to produce the first robotics manufacturing company, Unimation.

In 1957, the Soviet Union launched the first autonomous satellite.

In 1968, R. Mosher invented the first manually controlled walking truck.

In 1969, designed by Ichiro Kato, WAP-1 was the very first bipedal robot. WAP-3 was later designed to walk up and down stairs, turn while walking, and walk on flat surfaces.

In 1973, Ichiro Kato built WABOT-1. It was the first anthropomorphic full-scale robot in the world. It had a system for controlling limbs, vision, and conversation.

In 1985, RB5X was a programmable robot with infared sensors, audio/video transmission, bump sensors, and a voice synthesizer.

In 1989, Aquarobot was created at the Robotics Laboratory of the Ministry of Transport in Japan. The robot was built for underwater use.

In 1996, RoboTuna was created by David Barnett at MIT. The robot was used to study how fish swim.

In 1997, IBM's Deep Blue beat the champion Gary Kasparov at a chess match.

In 1997, Honda created the P3, the second major step in creating their ASIMO. The P3 was Honda’s first completely autonomous humanoid robot.

In 1998, LEGO released their MINDSTORMS robotic development product line, which is a system for inventing robots using a modular design and LEGO plastic bricks.

 In 2002, iRobot released the first generation of Roomba robotic vacuum cleaners.

In 2003, NASA launched twin robotic rovers on June 10 and July 7, 2003 called Spirit and Sojourner, as part of their mission to explore Mars. Spirit:

Sojourner:

Created in 2011, IBM's Watson 

took home the most cash after a three-day matchup.

Sources:

"History of Robotics: Timeline." RobotShop (n.d.): n. pag. RobotShop. RobotShop Distribution Inc. Web. 25 Feb. 2015. <http://www.robotshop.com/media/files/PDF/timeline.pdf>.

"History of Robotics." History of Robotics. Thomas Publishing Company, n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2015. <http://www.thomasnet.com/articles/engineering-consulting/robotics-history>.

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