The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is an agency of the United States government, responsible for aerospace research. NASA has successfully sent several human beings into space and done a lot of research through the information gathered by them, but now its going one step further. NASA has been working on the robonaut project along with General Motors for years now, and has finally upgraded R1 to R2. The details of this project are shown in the below video:
NASA claims that it will first make these robots work in space stations on Earth and soon will be sent into outer space for doing work there. This means, tomorrow you’ll be seeing robots go into space. This sure does help us save some lives, as sending live people into outer space is a bit risky.
The main difference between this robot and the older robots built by NASA is that this looks more human and can actually help out other astronauts by lifting heavy weights.
Here are some pics of the robonaut:
Robonauts utilising Space Tools
Robonauts can carry 20 pounds of weight both near and far from themselves
Robonaut can stretch to any configured human pose
Robonaut 2 – improved version of the Robonaut
“The 300-pound R2 consists of a head and a torso with two arms and two hands. R2 will launch on space shuttle Discovery as part of the STS-133 mission planned for September. Once aboard the station, engineers will monitor how the robot operates in weightlessness. Throughout its first decade in orbit, the space station has served as a test bed for human and robotic teamwork for construction, maintenance and science.” says a blog post at NASA.
“This project exemplifies the promise that a future generation of robots can have both in space and on Earth, not as replacements for humans but as companions that can carry out key supporting roles. The combined potential of humans and robots is a perfect example of the sum equaling more than the parts. It will allow us to go farther and achieve more than we can probably even imagine today.” said John Olson, director of NASA’s Exploration Systems Integration Office at NASA Headquarters in Washington.
Although R2 resembles like a human with two arms he moves with set of 4 wheels which makes him perfect for exploring planet surfaces. Many robots were sent into space before but none of them looked like a human more than this one.
Robonaut 2 (R2) is not yet tested in zero-gravity yet, but will be sent to space stations in September 2010 for testing. We’ll have to wait and see if R2 can really be sent to space successfully.
One thing is certain, R2 is a great step both for robotics and space explorations, I’m positive that robots are the future when it comes to space explorations, and I’m sure that there will be more robots in space soon enough.
For further details you can see the official post on NASA:
Robonaut
Siddhanathan Shanmugam (Siddhu) is an amateur blogger presently studying in High School.
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
This robot somewhat looks like Iron Man. Must say it is a good achievement for NASA, It seems we will be soon seeing robots work in our homes as maids and butlers
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ROFL! Yay! we’ll see Iron Man!
I think if we use these robonauts, mankind will be on safe-side. And we may not lose another kalpana chawla. According to the invention they are perfect for exploiting planet surfaces. By the way nice find s!D
Looks like a cartoon character. I can’t see legs.
The legs will be added to Robonaut 3 if I’m not mistaken…. R2 runs on wheels…
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These Androids can save much of the expenses
I guess its price would be around $69k
It is interesting to see articles on space science…great job
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Cool Images Brother!
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NASA rocks. Enjoyed the video…
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Nice post mate! but i can’t wait till our Asians make such inventions!
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Thanks for the video
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They are capable of sending Human to the space
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May be they are trying to save some few bucks or trying to setup a permanent crew member up in the sky
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Would be happy to see its legs.
That’s awesome =)
NASA will launch the first human-like robot to space later this year to become a permanent resident of the International Space Station. Robonaut 2, or R2, was developed jointly by NASA and General Motors under a cooperative agreement to develop a robotic assistant that can work alongside humans, whether they are astronauts in space or workers at GM manufacturing plants on Earth.
The 300-pound R2 consists of a head and a torso with two arms and two hands. R2 will launch on space shuttle Discovery as part of the STS-133 mission planned for September. Once aboard the station, engineers will monitor how the robot operates in weightlessness.
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beautiful robot
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