SUMMARY:

 

Elektro is the first full‑size humanoid robot in history, created by Westinghouse Electric Corporation in Mansfield, Ohio between 1937 and 1938.  

 

He debuted at the 1939 New York World’s Fair, where he became a global icon for his ability to walk, move his arms and head, count on his fingers, recognize colors, and “speak” using a synchronized audio system.

 

Elektro represents the earliest example of a humanoid robot designed for public demonstration, interactive behavior, and humanlike form, decades before digital computing existed.

 

EDITORIAL:

 

Elektro was a technological marvel of the pre‑computer era. Built entirely from electromechanical relays, motors, cams, and photoelectric sensors, he simulated intelligent behavior long before the word “robotics” existed.

 

At the 1939 World’s Fair, Elektro performed several times daily, responding to voice cues, walking on stage, moving his arms and head, and performing theatrical tricks such as smoking a cigarette or blowing up balloons.  

 

His 700‑word “speech” system, driven by a 78‑rpm record player, created the illusion of conversational ability.

 

Elektro’s design philosophy — humanoid form + interactive behavior + public demonstration — is the same formula used by modern humanoid companies today.  

 

He is the direct ancestor of all public‑facing humanoids.

 

SPECIFICATIONS:

 

Dimensions & Build

 

- Height: 7 ft (2.1 m)  

- Weight: ~265 lb (120 kg)  

- Frame: Steel gears, cams, motors  

- Exterior: Aluminum body panels  

- Category: Early humanoid robot / electromechanical automaton

 

Mobility

 

- Locomotion: Slow, relay‑driven walking  

- Gait: Sliding step motion  

- Stability: Heavy, wide‑stance design  

- Demonstrated abilities:  

  - Walk forward  

  - Turn head  

  - Move arms  

  - Bend fingers  

 

Degrees of Freedom

 

(Not formally documented — robotics terminology did not exist yet)  

 

Approximate functional DOF:  

- Head: 2 DOF (turn, tilt)  

- Arms: Multi‑joint mechanical motion  

- Hands: Finger articulation for counting  

- Legs: Limited walking motion  

 

Actuation & Manipulation

 

- Actuators: Electric motors + relay‑controlled cams  

- Hands: Mechanical fingers capable of counting  

- Capabilities:  

  - Counting on fingers  

  - Lifting lightweight objects  

  - Smoking a cigarette  

  - Blowing up balloons  

  - Theatrical gestures  

 

Perception & Sensors

 

- Eyes: Photoelectric sensors  

  - Could detect red and green light  

- Audio: Microphone‑triggered relay system  

- Interaction: Responded to voice cues (tone‑based relay activation)

 

Compute & AI

 

- Compute: 48 electromechanical relays  

- Speech:  

  - 78‑rpm record player  

  - ~700‑word vocabulary  

- Intelligence: Pre‑programmed mechanical sequences  

- No digital logic (pre‑computer era)

 

Battery & Power

 

- Power: AC mains power  

- Internal wiring for motors and relays  

 

Connectivity

 

- None (pre‑network era)

 

Applications

 

- Public exhibitions  

- Technology demonstrations  

- Entertainment  

- Early robotics inspiration  

- Corporate promotion  

 

Pricing

 

- Not sold commercially  

 

WHAT IS NOT PUBLISHED

 

- Exact torque values  

- DOF count  

- Motor specifications  

- Relay timing charts  

- Internal wiring diagrams  

 

Image: @The-Ozaric

 

COMPANY SOURCE:

 

https://youtube.com/shorts/_LM03Zvm5Mc?si=WfFj9R6BjzX4ONls

 

NEWS & KEY COVERAGE

 

https://youtube.com/shorts/vYRRrTHhj2g?si=kZdiUmxuMQGppAwf