Torres y Quevedo’s idea of automation as a contribution to the development of computer science

Authors

  • Piotr Urbańczyk Uniwersytet Papieski Jana Pawła II w Krakowie

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15633/ss.1078

Keywords:

Leonardo Torres y Quevedo, analytical engine, artificial intelligence, robotics, automatics, computer science

Abstract

The aim of this article is to indicate that the ideas of Leonardo Torres y Que­vedo presented in his short Essays on Automatics constitute essential link between early Babbage’s concepts of analytical engine and modern computer science. These ideas include definition of automatics, classification of automata, theoretical basis for robotics, electromechanical engineering, modern concept of chatbot, the importance of algorithm and last but not least floating point arithmetic.

Author Biography

  • Piotr Urbańczyk, Uniwersytet Papieski Jana Pawła II w Krakowie
    Filozof i kognitywista, członek Centrum Kopernika Badań Interdyscyplinarnych, doktorant na Wydziale Filozoficznym Uniwersytetu Papieskiego Jana Pawła II w Krakowie.

References

Descartes R., Rozprawa o metodzie, tłum. W. Wojciechowska, Kraków 1950.

González de Posada F. G., González Redondo F. A. G., Leonardo Torres Quevedo (1852–1936). 2a Parte: Automática, máquinas analiticas, „La Gaceta de la RSME” vol. 8.1 (2005), s. 267–293.

Randell B., From Analytical Engine to Electronic Digital Computer: The Contributions of Ludgate, Torres, and Bush, „Annals of the History of Computing” 4 (1982), s. 327–341.

Russell S., Norvig P., Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach, Prentice Hall 2009.

Torres and His Remarkable Automatic Devices, „Scientific American Supplement”, nr 2079 6 listopada (1915), s. 297.

Torres y Quevedo L., Essays on Automatics. Its Definition – Theoretical Extent of Its Applications, [w:] The Origins of Digital Computers: Selected Papers, ed. B. Randell, Berlin–Heidelberg–New York 1982, ss. 89–107.

Vigneron H., Les Automates, „La Nature” 2141 (1914), s. 56–61.

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Published

2015-09-01

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