NASA has always been developing assisted robots, but nothing like this. Robonaut is a Telepresence based anthropomorphic machine developed by NASA is considered a EVA (Extravehicular Activity) robot that is human shaped and will assist astronauts with space walks while performing duties that will decrease the work load, thus saving time for other tasks at hand. The Robonaut can also be remote controlled by Telepresence Video where a astronaut uses a set of goggles to control all movements of the robot from a distance.
Technology behind The Robonaut
What makes this robot differ from other NASA creations is that the robot has depth perception which goes a step beyond in robotics by increasing better functionality for important work that may need precision handling. Robonaut’s hands have opposables thumbs and have pressure sensors including in the fingers for sensitive equipment or for like screwing on a bolt to make sure its torque is not to tight possibly damaging life sustaining systems. The Robonaut has a human torso and a 4 wheeled vehicular body making it more stable and providing it the ability to do complex human like tasks. The Telepresence consists of a Helmet Mounted Display (HDM) Tactile Feedback Gloves and posture trackers essentially allowing the operator to control all aspects of the robonaut mimicking all movements the operator makes much like a puppeteer.
Mobility of the Robonaut
As a highly capable robotic system the ability to move around on a foreign surface is very important not to mention being able to house all control systems and handle payloads. Centaur is a version of the robot that contains a human like torso attached to an ATV styled body, this allowing enough room for all controls needed to keep the Robonaut operational and allowing for proper heat dissipation as well being able to carry small payloads.
Zero-G Leg Robonauts will be able to climb spacecraft using astronaut handrails and allowing the legs to lock into existing sockets tethering themselves to the shuttle giving it stability and a limited angle of leg movement making it able to perform tasks.
The RMP (Robotic Mobility Platform) Robonaut is connected to a Segway allowing it to keep balance, move forward and back while making on the dime turns. scientists say this type of mobility is for testing purposes only and demonstrating the capabilities.
Impressions of NASA’s Robonaut
Used in conjunction with NASA’s ATHLETE a Payload work Rover, I can see this will be the duo needed for missions to other planets. One of the many good benefits the Robonaut has is the ability to fix equipment. When other robots and rovers need repairs the Robonaut will be able to restore working order. Robonaut will save time on astronauts by cleaning up work areas when a mission is done, or when in space lets say a crack appears in the hull it is quicker to mobilize the Robonaut to quickly plug the crack until a astronaut can get out there to fix the problem. The time needed because of different pressures in space or on alien planets for the atronauts to adjust to their physical surroundings can be the difference in life or death for our atronauts.
Source NASA
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