Robohub.org
 

15 robot portraits taken with an 1880s camera


by
05 April 2016



share this:
Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx

Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx

Amsterdam-based photographer Wanda Tuerlinckx feels inspired by the slow style of classic photography. So influenced, in fact, you can find her observing all her subjects through an old-fashioned lens, an authentic 19th century ‘camera obscura’ (Latin for “dark chamber”).

Initially, she began by taking portraits of people. Now she concentrates her artistic endeavours photographing robots, cleverly juxtaposing these unlikely high/low tech companions, to create visually stunning black and white images.

“Robots through the eye of a very old camera can be an extreme combination. It gives the robots a type of personality, or soul. Robots are not typically defined as being ‘romantic,’ but looking at these images the robots feel more alive,” said Tuerlinckx.

“I find it fascinating how people in the tech world react; they find the robots beautiful. The lens doesn’t have a hard effect, like with digital cameras, the focus is softer. The camera I use is not a cold camera, it’s a warm camera made out of wood.”

Wanda hopes to document robots in their evolution over the next 10, 20+ years using her portrait method. “With a camera this old you need to have patience — not always easy to find in our fast-paced world.”

Check out a collection of her photographs below. All images copyright Wanda Tuerlinckx.


Source: Wanda Tuerlinckx

Interact Centaur Rover. European Space Agency. Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx


Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx

SERGIO. Second Edition Robot for Generic Indoor Operations. Tech United/ University of Technology Eindhoven. Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx


Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx

Dual-hemi Continuously Variable Transmission. Project: ROSE, University of Twente, RaM. Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx


Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx

KASPAR. Therapeutic robot for children with autism. EIZT/Zuyd Hogeschool. Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx


Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx

Robird Jerrie. Clear Flight Solutions. Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx


Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx

Entry Descent and Landing (EDL) Demonstrator Module. European Space Agency. Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx


Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx

Nao. Robots.nu. Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx


Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx

ReflexLeg. Project: ReflexLeg, University of Twent, RaM. Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx


Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx

TUlip: Tech United/ University of Technology Eindhoven. Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx


robot-camera-old-11

Underactuated hand prosthesis with compliant control. Project: MyoPro, University of Twente, RaM. Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx


Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx

PARO. Seal robot for people with psycho geriatric disorders. EIZT/ Zuyd Hogeschool. Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx


Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx

TURTLE. Tech United RoboCup Team Limited Edition. Tech United/ University of Technology Eindhoven. Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx


Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx

Cheetah, Fast Running Energy Efficient Quadruped Project: FREEQ. University of Twente, RaM. Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx


Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx

AMIGO. Autonomous Mate for IntelliGent Operations. Tech United/University of Technology Eindhoven. Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx


Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx

Aerialtronics Altura. Clear Flight Solutions. Copyright: Wanda Tuerlinckx



tags: ,


Kassie Perlongo Kassie is the Managing Editor at Robohub.
Kassie Perlongo Kassie is the Managing Editor at Robohub.

            AUAI is supported by:



Subscribe to Robohub newsletter on substack



Related posts :

Robots in society, business and culture: October 2026

We showcase a selection of robotics stories from society, business, research and culture.

Muscle coordination can be mimicked by electric motors – it could lead to improved robots

  02 Nov 2026
Researchers built a physical model using ordinary electric motors to try and simulate how muscles may perform tasks.

Robot Talk Episode 168 – Advancing robotics with novel electronics, with Zlatka Stoeva

  30 Oct 2026
In the latest episode of the Robot Talk podcast, Claire chatted to Zlatka Stoeva from DZP Technologies about flexible, stretchable and soft printed electronics for dexterous robots.

Competing in RoboCup@Home and winning the 2026 best paper award: an interview with Raphael Memmesheimer

and   28 Oct 2026
Hear more about Raphael's research and his involvement in the RoboCup@Home league.

Robots in society, business and culture: September 2026

We showcase a selection of robotics stories from society, business, research and culture.

Robot Talk Episode 167 – Automating construction, with Jan Petrš

  23 Oct 2026
In the latest episode of the Robot Talk podcast, Claire chatted to Jan Petrš from École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne about novel robot designs for construction and architecture.

ACM SIGAI Autonomous Agents Award 2027 open for nominations

  20 Oct 2026
Nominations are solicited for the 2027 ACM SIGAI Autonomous Agents Research Award.

Powered by muscle cells, a paper-thin robot swims through watery maze

  19 Oct 2026
MIT engineers’ new aquabot offers a way to design small, efficient “biohybrid” robots.


↑


AUAI is supported by:







Subscribe to Robohub newsletter on substack




 















©2026.05 - Association for the Understanding of Artificial Intelligence