Joseph Engelberger facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joseph Engelberger
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Engelberger in c. 1987
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Joseph Frederick Engelberger
July 26, 1925 Brooklyn, New York City, US
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| Died | December 1, 2015 |
| Alma mater | Columbia University (B.S., 1946; M.S., 1949) |
| Occupation | Engineer, entrepreneur |
| Known for | Robotics |
| Awards | Japan Prize (1997) |
Joseph Frederick Engelberger (born July 26, 1925 – died December 1, 2015) was an American scientist, engineer, and business owner. He is often called the "Father of Robotics." This is because he helped create the very first industrial robot in the United States. This robot was called the Unimate.
Engelberger didn't just stop there. He worked hard to show how robots could be used in many other areas. These included hospitals, service industries, and even space exploration.
Contents
Biography
Early Life and Education
Joseph Frederick Engelberger was born on July 26, 1925, in Brooklyn, New York. He grew up in Connecticut during a tough economic time called the Great Depression. Later, he moved back to New York City for college.
He studied physics and electrical engineering at Columbia University. He earned his first degree in physics in 1946. Then, he got his master's degree in electrical engineering in 1949.
Creating the First Robot Company
In 1956, Engelberger met an inventor named George Devol. Devol had already designed a basic robotic arm. At the time, Engelberger's job division was closing. This meant he was out of work.
But he had a great idea and a new partner in Devol. Together, they started Unimation. This became the world's first company dedicated to making robots.
The Unimate Robot
In 1961, Unimation installed its first Unimate robot arm. It went into a General Motors car factory in New Jersey. This was a huge step for manufacturing.
The Unimate robot changed how cars were made. Other big car companies like Chrysler and Ford Motor Company soon started using Unimates too. This helped Unimation become very successful.
In the next 20 years, Japan became a leader in using robots. Engelberger was seen as a key person in helping Japan improve its manufacturing quality.
Robots on TV
In 1966, Joseph Engelberger and a Unimate robot appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. The robot did some fun tricks. It poured a beer, sank a golf putt, and even directed the band! This showed many people what robots could do.
Robots in Space
Engelberger believed robots could do amazing things in space. He wrote articles and talked to government leaders about using robots for space missions. He did this long before NASA's successful Mars landers and other unmanned space missions. He also advised NASA on how to use robots for exploring space.
New Robots and Challenges
In 1977, Unimation bought another company and created a new robot. It was called the Programmable Universal Machine for Assembly (PUMA). This robot was all-electric. It used a special computer language to control its movements.
However, car companies started wanting electric robots instead of the older hydraulic ones. Engelberger didn't agree with this change. Sales for Unimation fell. In 1982, a company called Westinghouse bought Unimation. Engelberger left the company soon after.
Robots for Healthcare
After seeing how much help his aging parents needed, Engelberger had another idea. He realized robots could be very useful in hospitals and homes. In 1984, he started a new company called Transitions Research Corporation.
His main product was the HelpMate. This was a mobile robot that worked as a courier in hospitals. It could deliver medicines, food, and supplies. The first HelpMate was sold to Danbury Hospital in 1988.
The HelpMate was a success. Within ten years, over 100 hospitals around the world were using HelpMates. Engelberger's company, later renamed HelpMate Robotics Inc., either sold or rented these robots.
In 1997, Engelberger received the Japan Prize. This is a very high honor in technology. A senator from Connecticut praised Engelberger in the U.S. Senate. He called HelpMate Robotics an example of how science and technology can create new jobs and improve lives.
Later, HelpMate was bought by another company. Engelberger felt that the new owners didn't manage the robots as he had hoped.
Later Life and Legacy
Even in his 80s, Engelberger continued to promote robots. He especially wanted to develop robots to help older people. He believed robots should use wheels to move around. However, he supported using robotic arms so they could interact with their surroundings. He worked on a two-armed robot designed to be a "servant-companion" for seniors.
Joseph Engelberger passed away on December 1, 2015, in Newtown, Connecticut. He was 90 years old.
Awards and Honors
Joseph Engelberger received many awards for his work. In 1984, he was chosen to be part of the National Academy of Engineering. The Sunday Times newspaper also named him one of "The 1000 Makers of the 20th Century" in 1992.
Some of his other important awards include:
- The 1982 ASME Leonardo Da Vinci Award
- The 1997 Beckman Award for his pioneering research in automation
- The 1997 Japan Prize, which is Japan's highest technology honor
- The IEEE Robotics and Automation Award in 2004
Legacy
The Robotics Industries Association gives out the Joseph F. Engelberger Awards every year. These awards honor people who have made amazing contributions to the science and practice of robotics. The first award was given in 1977.
Engelberger's most famous invention, the Unimate industrial robot arm, was honored in 2003. It was one of the first things to be included in the Robot Hall of Fame.
See also
In Spanish: Joseph Engelberger para niños
