Scientific, Fictional Robots Inducted Into Hall of FamePITTSBURGH
Carnegie Mellon University has recently inducted four well-known robots into its newly established Robot Hall of Fame, representing both scientific breakthroughs and the world of science fiction.
The first inductees, announced during a ceremony at Pittsburgh's Carnegie Science Center, were NASA's Mars Pathfinder Microrover Flight Experiment (MFEX), better known as "Sojourner"; Unimate, the first industrial robot; R2-D2, the memorable droid from the "Star Wars" movie trilogy; and the evil HAL-9000 computer, which is the creation of science fiction writer and futurist Sir Arthur C. Clarke featured in the movie "2001: A Space Odyssey." 
"This international first is a historic day for Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon, the world center for robotics research and education," said Carnegie Mellon President Dr. Jared L. Cohon. "This is where the Robot Hall of Fame belongs. This is a natural next step. We hope the Hall of Fame will become an international tourist attraction in Pittsburgh."
Dr. Chuck Thorpe, director of Carnegie Mellon's Robotics Institute, said the institute has been conducting research in many areas of robotics for nearly 25 years, helping to focus attention on a field that has great potential to help people. The robots' creators or others close to them accepted certificates in their honor.
The Robot Hall of Fame was established last year to honor noteworthy robots, both real and fictional, along with their creators in recognition of the increasing benefits robots are bringing to society. Later this year, the second induction ceremony will be held in conjunction with the Robotics Institute's 25th anniversary celebration, Oct. 13-16, according to Carnegie Mellon officials.

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