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Robonaut (Robonaut)
05.23.12

Overview | Description | Applications | Operations | Results | Publications | Images

Experiment/Payload Overview

Brief Summary

Robonaut serves as a spring board to help evolve new robotic capabilities in space. Robonaut demonstrates that a dexterous robot can launch and operate in a space vehicle, manipulate mechanisms in a microgravity environment, operate for an extended duration within the space environment, assist with tasks, and eventually interact with the crewmembers.

Principal Investigator

  • Myron A. Diftler, Ph.D., Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, United States

    • Co-Investigator(s)/Collaborator(s)

    Information Pending

    Payload Developer

    Johnson Space Center, Robotics Systems Technology Branch, Houston, TX, United States

    Sponsoring Space Agency

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

    Sponsoring Organization:

    Information Pending

    ISS Expedition Duration:

    March 2011 - October 2013



    Expeditions Assigned

    27/28, 29/30, 31/32, 33/34, 35/36

    Previous ISS Missions

    Robonaut begins operations on ISS Expedition 25/26.

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    Experiment/Payload Description

    Research Summary

    • The Robonaut operational goals demonstrate the capabilities of robotic technology on the International Space Station (ISS).


    • Robonaut could evolve into other future robotic missions and other space exploration platforms.

    Description

    Robonaut not only looks like a human, but it also is designed to work like one. With human-like hands and arms, Robonaut is able to use the same tools station crewmembers use. In the future, the greatest benefits of humanoid robots in space may be as assistants for astronauts during spacewalks.

    Robonaut is comprised of a robotic torso with a rotating waist, arms, a head with two high image cameras for eyes and a power pack (backpack). Robonaut is connected to a support stanchion (vertical post or rod) at the waist via an adapter. The stanchion interfaces to the International Space Station (ISS) structure via a base plate and use of the seat track system. The Robonaut Task Board has dummy (non-ISS interfaced) switches that Robonaut can interact with via ground or local ISS commanding.

    Robonaut activities include commanding to perform free space joint manipulation and interface with the task board where it performs simple functions such as flipping switches, removing dust covers and installing handrails. Upon successful completion of Robonaut Task Board experiments, operations will expand to include simple ISS Intravehicular Activity (IVA) tasks within a contained worksite area. During these initial operations, Robonaut is involved with education and public outreach activities demonstrations.

    As each session is successfully completed and operational confidence concerning Robonaut?s capabilities in microgravity are proven, Robonaut will be scheduled for more complex activities. Robonaut?s growth may be supported with hardware and/or software upgrades in future increments.

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    Applications

    Space Applications

    Robonaut is an endeavor between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and General Motors (GM) to improve robotic technology and capabilities for future space exploration platforms.

    Earth Applications

    General Motors plan to use technologies from Robonaut in future advanced vehicle safety systems and manufacturing plant applications. Robonaut validates manufacturing technologies that will improve the health and safety of GM team members at manufacturing plants throughout the world.

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    Operations

    Operational Requirements

    Robonaut is commanded via remote guidance control and success in each research operation is determined by the ground operators based on observations of the Robonaut performance recorded via cabin video and by Robonaut telemetry received on the ground. Each session detailed below can be repeated multiple times to obtain the greatest insight to Robonaut operations in the 0 g (zero gravity) environment and remote guidance.

  • Robonaut Phase I Operations
    • Session A
      • Robonaut Deployment

      • Power Up

      • System Diagnostics

      • Commanding/Video Telemetry Checks

      • Power Down

      • Stow
    • Session B
      • Robonaut Deployment

      • Power Up

      • System Diagnostics

      • Joint Manipulation in free-space

      • Power Down
      • Stow

    • Session C
      • Robonaut Deployment

      • Power Up

      • System Diagnostics

      • Cartesian Manipulation in free-space

      • Power Down
    • Session D
      • Robonaut Deployment

      • Power Up

      • System Diagnostics

      • Task Board Operations

      • Power Down
    • Session E
      • Robonaut Deployment

      • Power Up

      • System Diagnostics

      • Approved IVA ISS Operations

      • Power Down

      • Stow
    • Session F
      • Robonaut Deployment

      • Power Up

      • System Diagnostics

      • PAO Task Board Operations

      • Power Down

      • Stow

    Robonaut is confined to operations in the ISS's Destiny Laboratory. However, future enhancements and modifications may allow it to move more freely throughout the station's interior.

    Operational Protocols

    : Robonaut operates via ground commanding with little interaction by the crewmembers; aside from monitoring and intervention with a ?kill? switch if Robonaut is observed to be operating in an unsafe or unexpected manner, or if an obstruction is in its deployed envelope field of operations.

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    Results/More Information

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    Related Web Sites
  • Robonaut
  • NASA Developing Robots with Human Traits
  • NASA to Launch Human-Like Robot to Join Space Station Crew
  • Planetary Gear - Robonaut 2: The offspring of GM and NASA

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    Publications

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    Ground Based Results Publications

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    ISS Patent Publications

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    Related Publications

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    Images

    imageNASA Image: JSC2009-E-155300 - Robonaut is the next generation dexterous robot, developed through a Space Act Agreement by NASA and General Motors. It is faster, more dexterous and more technologically advanced than its predecessors and able to use its hands to do work beyond the scope of previously introduced humanoid robots.


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    imageNASA Image: JSC2009E155295 - NASA and General Motors have come together to develop the next generation dexterous humanoid robot. The robots were designed to use the same tools as humans, which allows them to work safely side-by-side humans on Earth and in space.


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    imageNASA Image: ISS026E034308 - European Space Agency astronaut Paolo Nespoli, Expedition 26/27 flight engineer, poses with Robonaut 2, the dexterous humanoid astronaut helper, in the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station.


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    Information provided by the investigation team to the ISS Program Scientist's Office.
    If updates are needed to the summary please contact JSC-ISS-Program-Science-Group. For other general questions regarding space station research and technology, please feel free to call our help line at 281-244-6187 or e-mail at JSC-ISS-Payloads-Helpline.
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