Japan's First Robots Are Older Than You Think

posted by  Yubi | 7 years, 11 months ago

The Aibo, Asimo, even Gundam-robotics are a national institution of Japan. However, robotics started there far earlier than most folks realize. Karakuri ningyo (roughly "mechanized dolls") go back to the Edo period (1603-1868). Karakuri ningyo are believed to have directly evolved from the earliest mechanical devices-water clocks and early astronomical equipment-first developed by the ancient Chinese.

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