"an example of the way that a patient federal investment in science and technology can lead to new products that employ Americans and make for a better quality of life." HelpMate was acquired by Cardinal Health in the late 1990s, a move Engelberger came to regret, complaining that the new owners moved away from his preferred model of renting out robots toward selling off used, depreciated models. Later life The 2000 World Automation Congress was dedicated to Engelberger, who delivered the keynote address. Even after his departure from HelpMate and well into his 80s, he remained active in the promotion and development of robots for use in elder care. He notably discouraged the notion of legged robots, arguing that robots should use wheels for locomotion, although he supported the use of robotic arms to allow the machines to interact with their surroundings. He worked on developing a two-armed robot to act as a "servant-companion" to seniors with limited mobility. Engelberger died on December 1, 2015, in Newtown, Connecticut, a little more than four months after celebrating his 90th birthday. Publications Engelberger published Robotics in Practice in 1980. The book became a classic in the field and has been translated into six languages. Robotics in Practice was followed by Robotics in Service in 1989. Engelberger received US Patent No. 3,504,868 in 1970 that gave the priority in the technology of the space magnetic propulsion to the United States of America. Awards and honors Engelberger was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 1984. He was also honored among "The 1000 Makers of the 20st Century" by The Sunday Times in 1992. Additional honors include the Progress Award of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, the 1982 Nyselius Award from the American Die Casting Institution, the 1982 Leonardo da Vinci Award of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the 1982 American Machinist Award, the 1983 Golden Omega Award at the Electrical Electronics Insulation Conference, the 1983 McKechnie Award from the University of Liverpool, the 1984 Egleston Medal from Columbia University, the 1997 Beckman Award for pioneering and original research in the field of automation, and the 1997 Japan Prize, the highest Japanese technology honor, for the establishment of the robot industry. He also received the IEEE Robotics and Automation Award in 2004. Legacy The Robotics Industries Association annually presents the Joseph F. Engelberger Awards to "persons who have contributed outstandingly to the