Robonaut

A Robonaut ( Robotic astronaut) is a humanoid robot by NASA and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency ( DARPA ) for the extra - vehicular activity, ie Outboard activities has been designed during space flights or space stations (ISS ). The name is a portmanteau of Robonaut Robotic (robotics) and astronaut.

The Robonaut was developed in collaboration between NASA and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency at the Johnson Space Center. The aim was to develop a robot that while outboard activities in space ( for example on a space shuttle RMS secured for repairs to the outer shell ) of equal or even better skills than a human astronaut.

There are several models of this robot. Some are provided with various drive means, such as about a Segway platform on four wheels. These ground-based robonauts be developed for missions to planetary surfaces. The robot can be controlled via telepresence and also has different levels of autonomous intelligence ( robotic autonomy ). A robot hand has 14 degrees of freedom and touch sensors on his fingers.

Robonaut 2 (R2 )

The jointly developed by NASA and General Motors, Robonaut 2 launched in February 2011 with the mission STS -133 Space Shuttle Discovery to the International Space Station. With human-like hands, he should use the same tools as the human ISS crew. The Robonaut 2 is modular, so that as the arms, the "head" or the torso can be exchanged. Upon arrival at the ISS initially to some series of tests carried out, after which the Robonaut is gradually modified by replacement of individual modules. He was soon permanently installed on a base that will be added in this way legs for locomotion in the station. Later, Robonaut 2 are enabled in the same way spacewalks.

The Robonaut 2 has cameras and can independently decide on the basis of the underlying image analysis, what actions are to be executed. The required complex image processing was implemented by NASA with the German software library for image processing HALCON by MVTec. This image processing software sets the seen for real-time in motor commands. Thus, the Robonaut 2 is able to enter text into a mobile phone to detect and switch to operate as well as take and use tools. The Robonaut 2 can therefore self-directed take on work, for example, outside the space station. He should actually be used to relieve the astronauts.

Project M

The "Project M" NASA is a concept which provides to land a version of Robonaut 2 with legs in 2013 on the moon. Objective of the mission would be primarily a demonstration of the YEA technology. In addition to the Robonaut and the lunar lander would use new technology. Nevertheless, the robot will also take on scientific papers. Thus, the collection of samples or repairs on some instruments are conceivable.

Technical Publications

• R.O. Ambrose, H. Aldridge, R. S. Askew, R. Burridge, W. Bluethman, M. A. Diftler, C. Lovchik, D. Magruder, F. Rehnmark: Robonaut: NASA 's Space Humanoid, IEEE Intelligent Systems Journal, Vol 15, No. 4, pp. 57-63, July / August 2000, doi: 10.1109/5254.867913.
• M. A. Diftler, C. J. Culbert, and R.O. Ambrose: Evolution of the NASA / DARPA Robonaut Control System. In: IEEE International Conf. Robotics Automation, pp. 2543-2548, 2003.
• G. Landis: Teleoperation from Mars Orbit: A Proposal for Human Exploration In: Acta Astronautica, Vol 61, No. 1, January 2008, pp. 59-65; IAC -04- IAA.3.7.2.05, 55th International Astronautical Federation Congress ( 2004).