Astronauts could get robot buddy
The NASA space program may be under threat thanks to budgetary concerns, but a new development could save a few bucks on staff wages. The agency has teamed up with General Motors to produce a humanoid which could replace or accompany human astronauts on potentially dangerous missions.
The 300lb Robonaut 2 wouldn’t be much use in an athletic competition, having a top speed of 4.5 mph and only being able to life 20lbs (though both are significant improvements on its predecessors). But with a four-jointed “thumb”, it’s dexterous enough to mirror many handling actions usually performed by humans.
While Robonaut 2 could perform in situations too risk for humans, much of its work would be as a flunky: it could carry out routine tasks such as folding away blankets, leaving astronauts to get on with jobs which make the most of their expertise.
Even if Robonaut 2 never makes it into space, the project will still have benefits: GM says it has learned valuable lessons about robot control which will improve car safety.
(Picture credit: NASA)
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February 5th, 2010
Now that we’ve lost the lunar Constellation, perhaps robonauts could be launched to LEO, get to the Moon via slow ion drives, land on the Moon with a small amount of propellant, mine ice, hop hundreds of km (using small amounts of H & O propellant) to conduct a large amount of virtual geologic science, let individuals “be” astronauts by purchasing virtual reality time, explore lava tubes, and construct habitats and life support for later manned missions.
February 5th, 2010
LOL Don’t feel too bad, JohnHunt, China is still planning to send men to the moon by at least 2020, but no later than 2025.
20lbs may not seem much, but in a zero-g environment, strength is not as relevant, though inertia can be problematic for massive objects.