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http://www.robothalloffame.org/r2d2.html

"Some of my favorites when I was a kid were Short Circut and Runaway."
When you had so many others to choose from...

The flight team lost communication with the Sojouner September 27, after 83 days of daily commanding and data return. In all, the small 10.5 kilogram (23 lb) Sojouner operated 12 times its expected lifetime of seven days.

What the author of this article doesn't seem to be aware of is the fact that in 1981, industrial robots were fairly "dumb" machines, even more so than today. In 1981, most industrial robots in use were "pick and place", "point-to-point" "bang-bang" machines. That is, there were very few sensors (mostly light sensors on conveyor belts, and microswitches), lots of "relay ladder" logic (this was before widespread small PLCs on factory floors - microcomputers barely existed, let alone microcontrollers), and "hard stops". These machines were basic industrial machines programmed in such a way (in some older machine cases, via plugboards - newer machines were controlled similar to NC machines or relay ladder logic). Hard limit "stops" (padded bolts or such in the way of a mechanism) helped to prevent the machines from overtravelling. Most such arms were hydraulically or pneumatically controlled, electric drives were not that popular because they couldn't be made fast and powerful enough at the same time. Most industrial robots were large machines used for moving things on and off conveyor belts, welding, painting, foundry work, etc. These were not (and still aren't) lightweight nor smart machines.

I can't imagine the lack of thought of someone who would get inside the working envelope of any automated machine, let alone a large industrial robot, without triple-ensuring lockouts. As a result, factory work envelopes and lockout procedures have become much safer and more pervasive. Industrial robot work envelopes are much better protected from humans accidentally (or on purpose) wandering into them, and sensors in the work envelope help to ensure that power is shut down if lockout procedures aren't followed. Even so, you can't beat stupidity - some poor slob will still find a way to get himself killed.

If you ever have the chance, find a large industrial robot (like that used for welding, painting, or similar heavy duty work) and get a feel for the scale of such a machine. I personally have never been around such machines in a working environment, but they are humbling enough just sitting in "resell" condition. A local dealer in such equipment (Equipment Exchange, BTW - yes, they do sell to the public) had a Unimate "tucked" in a back area of their warehouse. Up to that point, I had only seen pictures of such a machine. Standing next to it was interesting. I own a Ford Ranger, and the arm/base unit was easily as large as my small pickup. That is not something I would want to be near while it is turned on and running. It would hit you, knock you down, and keep running without so much as a blip...

Robby is already in the hall.

Main inductees page is here. Click the ultra-light grey link in the sidebar to see the 2003 inductees.

Astroboy is also in. Not terribly knowledgeable regarding the character or its impact, but I've heard him mentioned enough that I can't argue his place there. R2-D2 and C-3PO are in as well.

Then there's one last science fiction member: HAL 9000. All these years, I could've sworn he was a computer... but, well.

Can anyone explain what HAL is doing there?

Robby is already in the hall.

Main inductees page is here. Click the ultra-light grey link in the sidebar to see the 2003 inductees.

Astroboy is also in. Not terribly knowledgeable regarding the character or its impact, but I've heard him mentioned enough that I can't argue his place there. R2-D2 and C-3PO are in as well.

Then there's one last science fiction member: HAL 9000. All these years, I could've sworn he was a computer... but, well.

Can anyone explain what HAL is doing there?

"The Robot Hall of Fame recognizes excellence in robotics technology worldwide and honors the fictional and real robots that have inspired and made breakthrough accomplishments in robotics." - Robot Hall of Fame

Science Fiction is often the inspiration behind the sciences, the field of Robotics is no different. Science Fiction can help us better imagine how robots might interact with society, what values might they bring to our lives. Why is it wrong to remember the dreamers along with the doers?

You can actually nominate robots yourself:

http://www.robothalloffame.org/nominate.php

Bender is currently at ~ 7% -- I think we can do better.

Go Bender! Go Bender!

May I suggest BENDER BENDING RODRIGUEZ

I mean, come one people, he leads the current poll with 41% of the vote. And it's a biased poll, there is a ringer robot from the future named Cowboy Neal!

http://www.robothalloffame.org/hal.html
"I'm sorry Dave, I can't let you do that"

C-3PO was just inducted into The Robot hall of fame.

I wanna see bender get inducted.

C-3PO was just inducted into The Robot hall of fame.

I wanna see bender get inducted.

C-3PO was just inducted into The Robot hall of fame.

I wanna see bender get inducted.

R2-D2 is already an inductee of 2003.

A positronic brain, of course.

Seriously, robots tend to have at least one of the following characteristics (and examples):

1. Humanoid Shape - Everything from battlemechs to service robots.
2. A.I. - Data) and HAL 9000
3. Manipulators (hands/arms) - Canadarm and Canadarm 2
4. Remote (bomb disposal) or Autonomous (Predator UAV) Operation

They aren't in the same category. If you read the actual inductees page, you'll see that they've grouped the two real-world robots together, and they've grouped the two fictional robots together.

Wasn't inducted but they did use a picture of the ASIMO. So they obviously think highly of it.

They inducted HAL 9000 which doesn't really seem like much of a robot to me. I mean I guess it can control the functions of the ship. I just never really thought of HAL as a robot.