Looking Back Into The Future of Robotics 2006 - 2040

Futurists Ian Neild & Ian Pearson, editors of the BT Technology Timeline 2005 including some robotics predictions have been quite good in foresight according to my recent research. (My comments in brackets).
Comments and contributions are very welcome!

2006-2010: 

• Global domestic robot numbers passes 4M (yes, confirmed by IRF statisitcs)
• Global industrial robot numbers passes 1M   (yes, onfirmed by IRF statisitcs)
• Totally automated factories (yes, watch video below)

2008-2012

• Fractal shape-changing robots (Cubelets)
• Insect-like robots used in warfare (prototypes, watch video below)

• Robotic dolls and pets account for 10 % of domestic telecomm traffic (no, smartphones are leading)
• Self monitoring infrastructures using smart materials and sensors (some projects)
• Micromechanical gnomes (research projects)
• Robots for cleaning, washing fetch and carry in hospital (yes, watch video below)

2011-2015

• Robot dance tutors (Partner Ballroom Dance Robot, 2005)
• Nanowalkers, nanoworms, nanofish (nano pioneer Adriano Cavalcanti)
• Mechanical intelligence using MEMS and NEMS (early stage)
• Android robots used for factory jobs (prototype HRP-3 Promet MK II)
• Fleet of garden robots for plant and lawn care and tidying (ome prototypes)
• Robots for cleaning, washing fetch and carry, in office (prototypes)
• Robot pest killers (some prototypes)

2013-2017

• Housework robots - fetch, carry, clean & tidy, organise etc.
• Robots for guiding blind people (First car drive of blind person 2011)
• Cybernetic use in sports (Ossue Flex-foot, Otto Bock C-Leg)
• Robots for cleaning, washing, fetch and carry, in home (Roomba, Scooba, prototypes)

2016-2020

• Self diagnostic self repairing robots (?)
• Actuators resembling human muscles (Polymer Actuators research)

2020s

• Insect sized robots banned in gardens due to effects on wildlife (UAV restrictions already discussed)
• Robotic delivery for internal mail (AGVs)
• Robotic exercise companion (TOPIO robot play ping-pong with humans)
• More robots than people in developed countries (very optimistic)
• Android gladiators (EU FET Flagship project Companion Robot for Citizens)
• GM and robotics converge, GM used to make organic robots (artifical meat projects)

2030s

• Micro-Mechano fractal construction kit

2040s

• i-Robot style robots with polymer muscles and strong AI

Robotics Timeline

A timeline is a graphical representation of a chronology or events in time. It is a great tool to visualize and analyze technology and product life cycles, market and industry development, companies, networks etc.
Below an example with the great help of Dipity.

Global Robotics Brain Timeline on Dipity.

Celebrating 10.000 visits mark

To our visitors and readers! 

Today Robotland passed the 10.000 visits mark. A great day and a wonderful feeling to look at the global map visualizing spots of Robotland readers. 

Thank you to all, who have contributed with links, great robotics ideas and comments since our counting start in Februari 2010.  Robotland will continue to watch the global robotsphere, report about exciting events, analyze robotics innovations and explore future challenges and robotics visions. 

The new Global Robotics Brain Cloud will be released very soon including 20.000 robotics research organisations and companies with 35.000 links to people, projects, places and 8.000 webpages. 

We invite you to join by signing up for the beta test. 

Robotics Timeline

Celebrating 50 Years of Robotics a brand new Robotics Timeline is now open for preview.  

 Please, send an e-mail to grb[ at ]infonaut.se if you are interested in a preview.