Robot Living

The world’s first robotic cosmonaut has been unveiled by NASA and GM.  Would that be called a robocosmonaut?

Wow, NASA ok, but GM and cutting edge technology?  Sorry, when I think of GM all I can think of is clunkers.

All that aside, this robot looks impressive.  The robot is ambidextrous and can lift up to 20 pounds. The press release states:

The two organizations, with the help of engineers from Oceaneering Space Systems of Houston, developed and built the next iteration of Robonaut. Robonaut 2, or R2, is a faster, more dexterous and more technologically advanced robot. This new generation robot can use its hands to do work beyond the scope of prior humanoid machines. R2 can work safely alongside people, a necessity both on Earth and in space.

See the GM R2 Robot Press Release.

Click through for a video.

Via (Gizmodo)

Tags: astronaut, GM, NASA, robot

NASA has unveiled another robotic competition called the inaugural Lunabotics Mining Competition.  This time registration is limited to 30 teams from a college or university and they already have 24 teams signed up. Hurry up and enter already as the entry deadline is Feb 28, 2010.

Last year NASA had The Regolith Excavation Challenge. This challenge is very similar to the one from last yearexcept the prizes are different and that challenge was open to anyone.

Prizes for the main competition are as follows:

1st place $5,000 and VIP Kennedy launch tickets

2nd place $2,500 and VIP Kennedy launch tickets

2nd place $1,000 and VIP Kennedy launch tickets

There are several other smaller prizes for various categories

NASA Exploration Systems Mission Directorate Higher Education Project in partnership with the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program is proud to announce the inaugural Lunabotics Mining Competition May 25-28, 2010 Astronaut Hall of Fame Kennedy Space Center, Florida.

Check out all the details in this PDF of The Lunabotics Mining Competition Rules.

Link

Tags: competition, mining, NASA, robot

MIT and NASA have sent a bunch of robotic spheres to the space station for a test. The small robots use thrusters with compressed air to maneuver along with sensors and a wireless connection to tell them where they are.

Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites (SPHERES) are bowling-ball sized spherical satellites. They will be used inside the space station to test a set of well-defined instructions for spacecraft performing autonomous rendezvous and docking maneuvers. Three free-flying spheres will fly within the cabin of the Space Station, performing flight formations. Each satellite is self-contained with power, propulsion, computers and navigation equipment. The results are important for satellite servicing, vehicle assembly and formation flying spacecraft configurations.

Using these experiments as a basis, they hope to make autonomous docking and re-supplying easier.

Click through for a video.

Link via (BotJunkie)

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Tags: MIT, NASA

The journey should have ended a long time ago on Mars.  But somehow the rover Spirit has carried on.  It is now having problems with the right front and rear wheel and has been unable to move forward since December 19.

Stay up to date with all things Spirit at the website from NASA called Free Spirit.

The latest update states:

Spirit remains embedded at the location called “Troy” on the west side of Home Plate. Attempts to extricate Spirit have been complicated by the loss of functionality in the right-rear wheel and the lack of meaningful functionality with the right-front wheel.

The biggest concern is that soon Mars will be in winter and that means less sunlight for the solar panels on Spirit . 

Go Spirit!

Link via (BBC)

Tags: Mars, rover, spirit

The Regolith Excavation Challenge is now over.  The what? – You know, that challenge to see how much moon dirt a moon chucker could chuck if a moon chucker could chuck moon dirt.

Well, the winner shown here is Moonraker from Paul’s Robotics. From the Regolith blog:

The entire $750,000 prize purse for the 2009 Regolith Excavation Challenge was awarded today. The winners of 1st, 2nd and 3rd place were Paul’s Robotics, Terra Engineering, and Team Braundo respectively. Thanks to all who participated to make this the best Regolith Challenge yet.

See our previous post about the challenge featuring another team called  Astrobotic Technology, or click through for a video of the winner on a test run.

Link via (regolith.csewi.org)

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Tags: Moon