William Grey Walter

William Grey Walter was a pioneering British neurophysiologist and roboticist known for his work in the mid-20th century. He created early autonomous robots, particularly his famous "tortoises," named Elmer and Elsie. These simple machines exhibited behaviors resembling living organisms, such as seeking light and avoiding obstacles, demonstrating foundational concepts in cybernetics and robotics. Walter's experiments explored the connections between brain function, behavior, and intelligent systems, influencing later developments in artificial intelligence and robotics. His work laid important groundwork for understanding both biological and artificial systems in terms of behavior and interaction.