Robotics may still seem to some like a far-off futuristic fantasy, but they have been a part of daily

life for several decades.

The Tech Museum of Innovation notes that while the idea of robots was around for centuries, robots became a reality in the
1950s and 1960s when transistors and integrated circuits were invented. Not all robots walk and talk; some simply do their
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The vast majority of robots in use today perform labor tasks for humans who are the ones to build them. The first robots
created were used to produce ashtrays, according to the Tech Museum of Innovation. NASA’s Rover Ranch website
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mentions that robots perform industrial tasks often do jobs that are either too dangerous or too hard for humans to do.
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Automotive factories use robots to cut and assemble parts. With space exploration, scientists send robots to explore the
surfaces of the moon or planets like Mars, while others go into space to repair space equipment. In the medical field, a robot
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Some robots perform more social duties and interact with humans through talking, sounds or music. These robots take on a
humanoid persona than do industrial robots. Japan’s HRP-4C robot, designed to look like the average Japanese woman that
sings and dances for spectators and, in 2010, performed a mini concert for observers.

The Telenoid R1 robot, also a Japanese creation, allows users to communicate over long distances by mimicking the
speaker’s movements. The medical field uses robotic patients in order to give students the opportunity to interact with a
patient without running the risk of hurting a human subject. Robotics engineers in Japan work to create robots they can build
them that can mimic human expressions and emotions that could one day be used to help patients in hospitals and nursing
homes.

Toy robots allow anyone to enjoy the advanced technology of a robot without spending thousands of dollars or more. Dogs
make popular robotic toys for kids, they were modeled such as Sony’s Aibo and the Hasbro and Tiger Electronics creation
iDog. Some toy robots look like the average idea of what a robot should look like. These toys perform simple tasks such as
walking, dancing or speaking on command. The toy company WowWee produces a wide array of robotic toys, it makes for
example the Robosapiens line of toys, for children and robot enthusiasts.

In our country, a genius was born in a small, relatively unknown Bolivian village. Esteban Quispe Churata who is from the
impoverished altiplano (highland) town of Patacamaya where he began to build robots despite only having access to the
basic education you would expect in some far flung Bolivian village, Esteban taught himself how to build robots from waste
and control them through a mobile phone application. His creativity and undeniable genius has caught the world’s attention,
from large tech companies to the international media.

As a child, Esteban sold toys he made at the local markets to support his parents. Upon reaching his teenage years, he
began looking at how robots could help automate Patacamaya´s agricultural industry where many people live from that
source. He taught himself complex electronic and robotic theory from books he downloaded from the internet, and then put
this knowledge into practice. However, all the theory in the world could not bring his ideas to life. Given that there are no
robotics stores in Patacamaya, Esteban began scavenging the local garbage tip. With the help of his younger brother, he
foraged through tons of waste to salvage anything he thought might be useful. In time, the enthusiastic youngster recycled
circuit boards from old TVs and other materials into a complex replica of Disney’s WALL-E robot – his signature creation. In
order control such a complicated piece of technology, Esteban deduced that an Android application would be the most
suitable platform which could help other youngers like him. So, he decided to teach himself programming and create one of
his very own.

Once news of this teenage wonder kid gained international media attention in 2016, his life changed forever. He was
inundated with interview requests which were from renowned media organizations such as CNN, Al Jazeera and Fox News,
becoming somewhat of an overnight celebrity. This led to a dizzying world of new opportunities for an impoverished kid from
an unheard-of Bolivian village.

Quispe has since spoken at distinguished conferences in the USA and has been offered jobs at top
multinational corporations. He accepted a scholarship at one of Bolivia’s best universities in La Paz, but dropped out after a
year for personal reasons. For the time being, he has returned home to support his family. What’s next for the genius from
Patacamaya? Nobody knows. One thing is certain though, with so much intelligence and ingenuity, he has a promising life
ahead of him.

Churata and Wall-E | © Esteban Quispe Churata/Facebook