---
title: Battery powered robots – past, present and future
description: Battery powered robots have come a long way since William Grey Walter’s first autonomous invention in 1948.  Advances in technology mean humans are no longer afraid to have robots work alongside them on the factory floor (co-bots).  So how have we reached this point and what does the future hold?
image: https://blog.ultralifecorporation.com/hubfs/ELMER-p1-825x1024.jpg
---

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# Get the latest from Ultralife

## [Battery powered robots – past, present and future](https://blog.ultralifecorporation.com/blog/battery-powered-robots-past-present-and-future)

 \[fa icon="calendar"\] Sep 18, 2018 10:17:00 AM

[![ELMER-p1-825x1024](https://blog.ultralifecorporation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ELMER-p1-825x1024.jpg?width=250&name=ELMER-p1-825x1024.jpg)](https://accutronics.co.uk/robotics-and-internet-of-things/)

Today’s [battery powered robots](https://accutronics.co.uk/robotics-and-internet-of-things/) have come a long way since William Grey Walter’s [first autonomous invention](http://www.historyofinformation.com/expanded.php?id=854) in 1948.  Technology has evolved to the point that humans are now not afraid to have robots work alongside them on the factory floor ([co-bots](http://www.eurekamagazine.co.uk/design-engineering-blogs/is-your-robot-battery-up-to-the-task/161449/)).

So how have we reached this point and what does the future hold?

### A historical timeline of battery powered robotics

**1948** William Grey Walter developed what are considered the first electronic autonomous robots called machina speculatrix, capable of finding their way to a recharging station when they ran low on battery power

**1966** Shakey, powered by Truck battery, was introduced as the [first mobile robot](http://robotglobe.org/shakey-the-worlds-first-mobile-intelligent-robot/) controlled by artificial intelligence

**1988** The first HelpMate service robot began work at Danbury Hospital, powered by batteries that allowed 12 hours of continuous operation

**2000** The UN estimated that there were [742,500 industrial robots](http://groups.inf.ed.ac.uk/vision/ROBOTICS/FREDDY/Barrow/Documents/BBC_Timeline_real_robots.stm.html) in use worldwide; batteries are often used in [industrial robotics to provide back-up power](https://blog.ultralifecorporation.com/blog/whats-the-best-power-solution-for-your-robotic-application) to retain critical configuration information

**2002** Automated vacuum cleaner, Roomba, was launched and [sold over 12 million units](http://walesrallygb.com/news/3123.php#.W5fN3OhKjcs) over 10 years

**2005** The Korean Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), created HUBO, and claimed it to be the [smartest mobile robot](https://www.robotshop.com/media/files/PDF/timeline.pdf) in the world

**2014** hitchBOT, [“hitchhiked” across Canada and Europe](https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/hitchbot-the-beer-bucket-robot-set-to-hitchhike-across-america-10397710.html) on a mission to explore cultural attitudes toward social robotics

**2015** A trio of Nao [humanoid robots demonstrated self-awareness](https://techxplore.com/news/2015-07-robots-wise-men-puzzle-degree-self-awareness.html) in a 'wise-men' logic puzzle

**2016** Amazon made its [first drone delivery in the UK](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/dec/14/amazon-claims-first-successful-prime-air-drone-delivery)

 

### **2018 and Beyond**

[![drones-in-the-sky](https://blog.ultralifecorporation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/drones-in-the-sky.jpg?width=250&name=drones-in-the-sky.jpg)](https://blog.ultralifecorporation.com/blog/bring-bomb-disposal-surgical-and-logistics-robots-to-life)An increasing number of industries are investing in the development of battery powered robots.  For example, in reaction to rapidly aging populations, [$17.4bn is projected to be invested in personal care robots by 2020](https://www.raconteur.net/business-innovation/the-rise-of-artificial-intelligence-in-6-charts).  Due to our growing reliance on drones for surveillance, photography and logistics, [the market is expected to be worth $14bn by 2025](https://www.agent.media/tech/5-key-drone-industry-trends-for-the-next-decade/).

 

### **Accutronics – Robot batteries present and future**

With such a high level of commercial interest in robotics, OEMs will want to get products to market quickly.  Battery manufacturer [Accutronics Ltd](https://accutronics.co.uk/) and its parent company [Ultralife Corporation](https://www.ultralifecorporation.com/ecommerce) can assist by offering a wide range of pre-engineered rechargeable batteries to provide portable or back-up power.  This includes [Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries](https://www.ultralifecorporation.com/ECommerce/category/all-products/battery-and-energy/rechargeable/lead-acid-replacement?cc=COMPANY.NAME&ce=CONTACT.EMAIL&cfn=Valued%20Contact&cln=CONTACT.LASTNAME) (LiFePO4) that are suitable as a replacement for sealed lead acid and [2590 batteries](https://www.ultralifecorporation.com/ECommerce/product/ubi-2590/bb-2590-rechargeable-batteries?cc=COMPANY.NAME&ce=CONTACT.EMAIL&cfn=Valued%20Contact&cln=CONTACT.LASTNAME) qualified to military specifications.

[![Download our free Robotics brochure](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/588756/da4320b9-5ac7-41b0-a845-bb15b1318998.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/588756/da4320b9-5ac7-41b0-a845-bb15b1318998)  
[![Robotics-Batteries-Survey-Screenshot](https://blog.ultralifecorporation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Robotics-Batteries-Survey-Screenshot.jpg?width=300&name=Robotics-Batteries-Survey-Screenshot.jpg)](https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/robot_batteries)

These [existing products](https://www.ultralifecorporation.com/ECommerce/category/applications/industrial/robotics?cc=COMPANY.NAME&ce=CONTACT.EMAIL&cfn=Valued%20Contact&cln=CONTACT.LASTNAME) were developed from extensive discussions with OEMs and offer high performance for the robots that are currently being manufactured.  However, with so much advancement happening in industrial automation, battery manufacturers like Accutronics Ltd need to focus on the future.  The best way to achieve this is by reaching out to robot designers and OEMs to learn the power requirements for their planned projects.  As such, Accutronics is [conducting a survey](https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/robot_batteries) to identify these needs.

All participants in our research will be given the option to receive an anonymised copy of the results. In manufacturing, the need for secrecy is high, so we are offering non-disclosure agreements to anyone who participates.

[![Click here to start the survey](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/588756/1bcced47-d12d-45eb-8fa3-3a67da51c2c0.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/588756/1bcced47-d12d-45eb-8fa3-3a67da51c2c0)[![Visit our website](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/588756/1e704175-b9b5-4229-9b69-32a9d8996ed6.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/588756/1e704175-b9b5-4229-9b69-32a9d8996ed6)

 Topics: [Robotics](https://blog.ultralifecorporation.com/blog/topic/robotics)

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