{
  "patent_number": "US 2988237",
  "country": "US",
  "title": "How George Devol Invented the First Industrial Robot Arm",
  "original_title": "Programmed article transfer",
  "summary": "The 1954 patent for the Unimate, the first digitally controlled robotic arm that could be programmed to move objects in a factory.",
  "what_it_does": "This patent describes a machine capable of moving objects between specific locations using a memory-based control system. It uses a series of commands stored on a magnetic drum to guide a mechanical arm through a sequence of positions. By recording the path once, the machine can repeat the movement indefinitely, replacing the need for manual labor in repetitive tasks like die-casting or welding.",
  "what_it_does_not_cover": [
    "Does not cover autonomous robots that use cameras or sensors to navigate changing environments.",
    "Does not cover software-based AI or machine learning algorithms for path planning.",
    "Does not cover non-programmable mechanical automation or fixed-track conveyor systems."
  ],
  "filed": "1954-12-10",
  "granted": "1961-06-13",
  "expires": "1978-06-13",
  "status": "expired",
  "holder": "Individual",
  "holder_url": "https://patentbrief.org/company/individual",
  "inventors": [
    {
      "name": "Jr George C Devol",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/jr-george-c-devol"
    }
  ],
  "times_cited": 93,
  "tags": [
    "mechanical",
    "automotive",
    "consumer_electronics"
  ],
  "abstract": null,
  "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2988237/unimate-industrial-robot-devol",
  "markdown_url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2988237/unimate-industrial-robot-devol/md",
  "google_patents_url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US2988237",
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}