Oddities

Robonaut

Robonaut is a humanoid robotic development project run from the Dextrous Robotics Laboratory at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX. Robonaut is a different class of robot than other current space faring robots. While most current space robotic systems focus on moving large objects — such as robotic arms, cranes and exploration rovers — Robonaut's tasks require more dexterity.

The core idea behind the Robonaut series of robots is to have a humanoid machine work alongside astronauts. Its form factor and dexterity are designed such that Robonaut can use space tools and work in similar environments to suited astronauts.

The latest Robonaut version, R2, is slated to be delivered by Space Shuttle, on mission STS-133, to the ISS and subsequently tested "in-doors" (current stated launch date November 1).

                                                 Robonaut 1996 Concept                    R2 - July 2009

The initial design of Robonaut was for it to be used as an end-effector for the robotic arm on the International Space Station, where it could serve as an alternative to human extravehicular activity for external maintenance on the station. The first series of Robonauts (R1A and R1B) had many partners including DARPA. The second Robonaut series (R2A and R2B) was a joint effort between NASA and General Motors.

Other designs for Robonaut propose uses for teleoperation on planetary surfaces, where Robonaut could explore a planetary surface while receiving instructions from orbiting astronauts above. R1 had three lower bodies: a single arm, a base with two wheels (Segway HT) and a base with four wheels.

Robonaut B was introduced in 2002. Its likeness to Star Wars bounty hunter Boba Fett has been noted by some. This is because both Robonaut's and Boba Fett's designers were inspired by the appearance of the Roman centurion helmet.[citation needed] Robonaut was created by Philip Strawser, Kris Verdeyen, Bill Bluethmann, and Robert O. Ambrose, employees of the Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Robonaut has participated in NASA's Desert Research and Technology Studies field trials in the Arizona desert.[citation needed] With a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) award from NASA, the company Sensics, LLC of Baltimore, MD has further developed the visual interface of the Robonaut.

The next generation of Robonauts was born from a partnership between the automotive company General Motors, and NASA. This partnership began in 2007 using a Space Act agreement to ensure both NASA and GM were able to protect and share intellectual property rights. The public release of the partnership between NASA and GM occurred on Thursday, February 4th, 2010.

The R2 system is capable of moving its arms up to 2 m/s and has a 40 lb payload capacity. Its hands have a grasping force of roughly 5 lbs per finger. All the numerous sensors in the robot number over 350.

Robonaut uses telepresence and various levels of robotic autonomy. While not all human range of motion and sensitivity has been duplicated, the robot's hand has fourteen degrees of freedom and uses touch sensors at the tips of its fingers.

“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 November, 2010. 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.

Near the end of 2009/early 2010 a proposed mission called Project M was announced by JSC that if approved would land a R2 robot on the moon within 1000 days.