In 1973, Waseda University in Tokyo created the WABOT-1, a humanoid robot that took 45 seconds to move just 10 centimeters. Designed by Professor Ichiro Kato, it was the first full-scale humanoid robot capable of walking, seeing, and speaking. These abilities were made possible by three integrated systems: one for controlling movement, one for perceiving the environment, and one for communication. The robot ran on solar power of only 140 watts—roughly the same as a standard light bulb—which meant every movement had to be highly optimized, contributing to its slow and deliberate motion. The WABOT-1 did not walk in a natural, fluid way. Instead, it moved with a cautious, sliding motion, as each step required complex mechanical calculations and constant adjustments to maintain balance. Unlike human walking, which is dynamic and relies on momentum, the robot’s movement was based on static bipedalism, meaning it had to remain stable at every moment. This made even a simple 10-centimeter step a significant technological achievement, combining sensors, calculations, and real-time adjustments in a way that was groundbreaking for its time. What set the WABOT-1 apart was not just its ability to walk, but its integration of multiple functions in a single machine. It used cameras and artificial sensors to "see" and measure distances, and a mechanical "mouth" allowed it to speak in basic Japanese, enabling rudimentary human-robot interaction. Its hands also had tactile sensors, allowing it to grasp and move objects. These capabilities were revolutionary, as no previous machine had combined them in such a way. By 1984, Waseda University unveiled the WABOT-2, a significant improvement over its predecessor. This new robot could read musical scores and play an electronic organ using its hands and feet, adjusting its performance in real time to accompany a human singer. This marked a major leap in robotic dexterity and adaptability. Today, in the same laboratory, the KOBIAN robot demonstrates how far the field has come—capable of taking a 40-centimeter step in less than a second, nearly matching the speed of an adult human. The WABOT-1 and WABOT-2 are now on display at Waseda University and in the National Communication Museum in Melbourne, serving as historical reminders of the early days of humanoid robotics.