A brief history of industrial robots



Origins and developments in automation

Robots are with us! And they have been for quite some time now. From ancient times to the present day, these innovative tools help us every day to improve our lifestyle and working conditions by optimising industrial production processes. Despite their remote origins, their name is fairly recent. The term “robot” was first used in 1920 by the writer Karel Čapek, in his short story “Rossum's Universal Robots”. Before then, however, automaton was already widely known, at least in a theoretical sense.

The concept of artificial life was strongly present in Greek mythology and Jewish popular culture, but it was not until around 60 B.C. with Heron of Alexandria that the first mechanical automaton was developed. It was a three-wheeled chariot capable of following a predetermined path. The research was then taken up and developed by Leonardo da Vinci in 1478, when the famous scientist designed what is still considered to be the first self-propelled cart, driven by spring mechanisms, and also the mechanical knight, a humanoid designed to perform various movements. In addition to these, countless other historical figures have distinguished themselves in this field, including the philosopher Aristotle, the Chinese inventor Su Song, the Frenchman Jacques de Vaucanson, and the more contemporary W. Grey Walter and Ichiro Kato.

Modern robotics

Thanks to continuous mechanical and technological innovations, robots have become increasingly autonomous and efficient, transforming the old imagery of interaction with humans into reality. Just think of Baxter's humanoid robot, equipped with two arms and a “face” on an LCD screen, or the Spot range by Boston Dynamics, a four-legged robot that can climb stairs by itself and travel across rough terrain with ease. These tools are designed to work alongside people, helping them and paving the way for new developments.

The introduction of robots in industries

It was George Devol and Joe Engelberger, two US engineers, who developed the first programmable robotic arm in the 1950s, leading shortly afterwards to the creation of UNIMATE, the first industrial robot. In 1961 General Motors introduced it into its assembly line. Its task was to perform repetitive and dangerous actions on the car production line. Then in 1978 came the SCARA (Selective Compliance Assembly Robot Arm), considered revolutionary at the time for its 4-axis movement ideal for pick & place applications.

Since then, countless advancements have been made, with increasingly powerful and multifunctional tools coming onto the market, ushering in the era of the smart factory and Industry 4.0. Today robots are widely used in various industries, from fashion to automotive, and aerospace, establishing themselves as a leading automation solution and continuing to evolve to ensure the best possible performances.

Industrial robotics according to Assistec

At Assistec, we provide customers with all our expertise and know-how acquired over more than 25 years working as a technical support service and system integrator, to design and build automation systems for CNC machine tools. Thanks to our Robofeed line, which includes state-of-the-art robotic islands with unique technical features, such as Robofeed A20 and Robofeed C10, we guarantee a 360-degree servicing of the machine.

Contact us for more information or call us on +39 0522 989436.

Recent Posts


  • A single, evolved partner

    Since it was founded 25 years ago, Assistec has developed its service offering with increasingly innovative proposals. Today, the company also stands out by offering modular robot cells and an advanced service concept

    by Andrea Pagani


    Evolution is the basis of adaptation and survival of species. It applies in biology as well as in economic and industrial dynamics: markets change, technologies update, companies evolve.
    Antonio La Placa's story is a striking example of this evolutionary capacity: after gaining extensive experience in Germany as a FANUC technician, in 1998 he returned to Italy where he founded Assistec. Initially focused on the electronic technical support of CNC machine tools for chip removal equipped with FANUC components (numerical controls, motors, drives, power supplies, electronic boards), he soon expanded his offer with additional, increasingly advanced services.

  • From 06 to 08 March at Bolognafiere, MECSPE 2024, the largest event dedicated to innovations for the manufacturing industry, returns.


    Assistec will be present at the exhibition with a stand in Hall 30, Stand A54.

    At the Assistec stand you will be able to discover the latest in automation and control systems for the manufacturing industry.

    Visit our stand to find out more!

  • Exploring the different types of CNC machines

    It's clear that the market for CNC machine tools is just as varied as the tasks these machines have to perform. This is because, with the advent of Industry 4.0 and modern smart factories, these machines have gradually taken on a more predominant role within industries, particularly manufacturing. CNC technology offers efficiency, precision and consistency, which are difficult to achieve with manual machining processes. There are various methods for classifying CNC machines, most of which are based on their design and intended tasks. Among the various types of CNC machines are milling machines, lathes, laser or plasma cutting machines, drilling machines, and grinding machines. They each have their own unique features and functionalities that can be customised using computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) programs, enabling precise control over the movements of cutting tools and workpieces.