Discussion: NASA's Robonaut Can Move Around Now

[Fraser]

SUMMARY: NASA is working on a human-like robot called "Robonaut" to assist astronauts with the maintenance of the International Space Station. It's still a long way off before the robot joins the astronauts in space, but things are developing well. This week the robot got a "space leg" so that it can move itself around a simulated version of the station. Another test put it onto a modified Segway scooter so that it could wheel around the lab. The robot is controlled through "telepresence", where commands from a human controller are transmitted to the robot wirelessly.

What do you think about this story? Post your comments below.

[Guest]

It looks a bit stupid, with billions spent on daft toys like this is it any wonder NASA has been on a bit of a downward spiral for the past few years

Don't get me wrong I feel NASA has done great with the Voyager probes and Lunar landings, however when I see the latest tamagotchi gadget it's a big disappointment.

NASA no longer has that special magic and is on the way down now

[Eric Vaxxine]

Great concept. The future of space IS going to be humanoids controlling robots. We are far too fragile for space work. Half human half robot....it's our future. It's only a matter of time before we have our first Space baby (if it hasn't already happened)

[jitte]

There was talk about sending chatbots along to keep astronauts company on long missions where lonliness would be a factor.

[Eric Vaxxine]

Wow, I guess you'd be able to choose: Favourite topics, voice tone, silly facts inserted into conversation at random. Jokes, fake accents, Monty Python recitation (Vital, that) and so on. It wouldn't be so bad. Do they have smoking and non smoking compartments?

[ASEI]

We are far too fragile for space work.

Nonsense. We just need a suit to protect ourselves, and adapt a little to radiation. One thing that we have over robots is our adeptness and maneuverability. It took the mars rover days to figure out how to roll off its pad. A baloon was in the way. Had it been a person in a spacesuit, he would have kicked the baloon out of the way and stepped over it.

[jitte]

Originally posted by Eric Vaxxine@Aug 10 2004, 04:11 PM
Wow, I guess you'd be able to choose: Favourite topics...

I taught one about solar storms and the Gravity is the 4th Dimension theory. It made for great bot talk.