A long time ago, people began to dream about machines that could move and work all by themselves. Imagine if your toys could clean your room or do your homework! That’s what people wanted—machines that didn’t need to be told what to do. These machines are now called robots.

So, what are robots, and how did they come to be? Let’s go on a time-traveling adventure to discover how the very first robots came to life and how they’ve grown into the smart, helpful machines we see today!

What are Robots?

Before we jump into the timeline, let's answer a big question: What exactly is a robot?

A robot is a kind of machine, but it’s no ordinary one. Think of robots as machines with brains. They can be programmed to move, think, and do tasks without needing a human to control them. Robots can look like anything—from a toy dog that barks and walks around to a giant arm in a car factory building real cars!

Some robots look like humans, and others don’t. But they all share one thing: robots can complete tasks quicker and help people. Whether it's delivering a package, exploring outer space, or cleaning your floor, robots are here to lend a hand!

The Timeline of Robot Development

Our story begins way back in time, even before people had the internet, phones, or computers. Let’s step into our time machines and zoom through the history of robots!

Ancient Dreams of Robots (Before 1500)

In ancient Greece and Egypt, people dreamed of creating moving statues. They imagined magical creatures that could move like humans. There’s even a story about Hephaestus, the Greek god of fire, who built moving golden statues that could walk around!

Though none of these early dreams were actual robots, they showed that humans have always been fascinated by the idea of machines that could function on their own.

Source: Stanford Report

Leonardo da Vinci’s Mechanical Knight (1495)

Fast forward to the time of the Renaissance when inventors like Leonardo da Vinci were creating all sorts of amazing things. In 1495, Leonardo sketched out plans for a “mechanical knight” that could sit, stand, and move its arms. While he never built it, it was one of the earliest designs of what we’d now call a robot!

It wasn’t a robot as we know it today—more like a suit of armor that could move—but this was the spark that set off the whole robot evolution!

Source: America Domani

Introducing the word ‘Robot’ (1921)

In 1921, the word robot was born! A man named Karel Čapek, a writer from the Czech Republic, wrote a play called “R.U.R.” (Rossum’s Universal Robots). In this play, he introduced robots as artificial workers who helped humans. Even though the robots in the story didn’t end up too friendly, this play was the first time the word robot was ever used!

First Industrial Robot (1954)

Now, let’s leap ahead to 1954. This is the year when robots started to become real helpers. An inventor named George Devol created the first industrial robot called Unimate. What did it do? It worked in factories, helping build cars!

Imagine a robot arm that could pick up heavy car parts and move them around without ever getting tired. That was Unimate’s job! And soon, many robots like Unimate were helping build all sorts of things in factories.

Robots in Space! (1960s-1970s)

Next stop: Outer space! By the 1960s and 1970s, robots were being sent on space missions. One of the most famous early space robots is the Lunar Rover. It wasn’t exactly a robot like you’d imagine, but it could drive around on the moon, helping astronauts explore. 

And then came Viking 1, a robot sent to Mars in the 1970s. Viking 1 was one of the first robots to explore another planet and return pictures to Earth.

The Rise of Humanoid Robots (1990s)

By the 1990s, people wanted robots that looked and acted more like humans. Meet ASIMO, a robot built by Honda in 2000. ASIMO could walk, talk, and even climb stairs! It was one of the first robots that looked and functioned like a person.

Source: Wikipedia

Not long after ASIMO came Pepper, another humanoid robot created in the 2010s. Pepper could not only walk and talk but also understand your feelings! It was designed to help people in stores, greeting customers and answering their questions. Imagine walking into a shop and having a friendly robot ask how it can help you!

Robots in Our Everyday Lives (2000s-Present)

Today, robots are everywhere! Some clean your floors like Roomba, a small robot vacuum that moves around your house, picking up dirt. Others, like Sofia, a robot who can have real conversations with people, are helping humans in new ways.

We even have robot pets that bark, meow, and purr like real animals! And let’s not forget about robots that help in hospitals, delivering medicine and guiding people to the right rooms.

Where Are Robots Going Next?

Now that we’ve zoomed through time and seen how robots have changed over the centuries, one big question remains: What’s next for robots?

Well, the future looks super exciting! Robots are being developed that could one day help humans in even bigger ways. Imagine robots that can cook your dinner, or even explore deep under the ocean, finding treasures we’ve never seen before. Or what if we had robots that could help humans live on Mars? The possibilities are endless!

One thing is for sure—robots are here to stay, and they’re only going to get smarter, faster, and more helpful.

As we’ve witnessed with our trip to the past, robotics and coding are more than just fascinating subjects—they’re essential skills for the future. Learning robotics and coding, especially at a young age sparks creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.

If you’re a parent searching for “robotics classes near me,” look no further than Obotz Canada. We offer engaging, hands-on robotics classes designed to inspire young minds and develop their coding skills. Don’t wait—give your child the tools to thrive in tomorrow’s world. Enroll with Obotz Canada today and let them build their future, one robot at a time!