New robotic arm promises to mind Newton's third law

Don't you hate it how simply moving a robotic arm in a microgravity environment can produce enough negative reaction forces to alter a spacecraft's orientation? Well, a group of researchers from Cornell University have now devised a new type of robot arm that they say could make that pesky problem a thing of the past. To do that, they've employed a device known as a control-moment gyroscope (or CMG) instead of a motor to control the arm's joints, which not only reduces the amount energy required to move the arm, but lets it move faster as well. As you can see above, they've already tested the arm on board NASA's famous Vomit Comet, but there's no indication just yet as to when or if the arm will actually see action in space.

[Derek @ Aug 7th 2008 4:12PM]

"Don't you hate it how simply moving a robotic arm in a microgravity environment can produce enough negative reaction forces to alter a spacecraft's orientation?"

O.o

In the future, I will replace my real arms with robotic ones, and take over the earth!

[evplasmaman @ Aug 7th 2008 4:16PM]

I for one welcome our new robotic armed overlord... Derek...

[TOstevo @ Aug 7th 2008 4:19PM]

Until the rest of us humans unite and invent "future porn". That should keep your robotic arms distracted long enough for us to strike!

[Dillon @ Aug 7th 2008 4:19PM]

Ya, I hate that too. Glad I'm not the only one.

[Eric @ Aug 7th 2008 4:25PM]

yea, those pesky laws of physics are always meddling my plans up!

[ventivent @ Aug 7th 2008 4:29PM]

What about Asimov's third law? Is it willing to protect its own existence?

[dwphoto @ Aug 7th 2008 4:30PM]

Oh crap that's so awesome! Totally interest...ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Just kidding, beats iPhone news though

[fanthem @ Aug 7th 2008 4:40PM]

Yeah for now. I bet in a short time though you'll see an article about how this arm learned to dial and make calls from an Iphone.

[GreezyG @ Aug 7th 2008 4:39PM]

build me a girl robot damnit!!!

[GaryZ @ Aug 7th 2008 4:53PM]

duh, why bother? just bend the space-time continuum...

[kojo87 @ Aug 7th 2008 4:54PM]

i totally thought that was a picture of some ridiculous kung-fu battle royale

[John De Vries ARMME @ Aug 7th 2008 5:43PM]

It would be so awesome to float around like that!

[Jon Doe. @ Aug 7th 2008 5:44PM]

The third law is very important. I mean it should be a given that you never break wind in an elevator.

[Blastar @ Aug 7th 2008 7:23PM]

Why would you need such a thing ??
You can just make a very stable (not shaky) arm and that's all !
Except... if you want your low gravity beer not to get wasted !!
Boy that would be terrible.. especially if you have to wait for the next mission to get another pack.
I am sure they find interesting ways to waste money these People in NASA.

[skulldriveshaft @ Aug 7th 2008 8:14PM]

"which not only reduces the amount energy requied to move the arm"

All word processor add ons have been disabled for your convenience.

[Darwin @ Aug 7th 2008 11:13PM]

Maybe it's just too early in the morning for me, but this only explains how to move the arm, not how to counteract the affect of the arm's inertia on the orbiter.

[donmark.baker @ Aug 8th 2008 3:16PM]

This thing pushes against the gyroscope instead of pushing against the craft, so that the energy is absorbed by the gyro, this keeps the craft in it's normal position. Think about it and I'm sure it'll come to you why this works.

[donmark.baker @ Aug 8th 2008 3:16PM]

This thing pushes against the gyroscope instead of pushing against the craft, so that the energy is absorbed by the gyro, this keeps the craft in it's normal position. Think about it and I'm sure it'll come to you why this works.

[donmark.baker @ Aug 8th 2008 3:17PM]

Dad gum comment/reply stuff. Please Fix it!

[edgar @ Aug 13th 2008 5:45PM]

wow