Engadget

NASA, GM working on a 'Robo-Glove' to assist astronauts and autoworkers alike

Richard Lawler — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 07:02:00 EST

We've seen power assist technology designed to help people walk, bike or just tote luggage around, and now we've for the Human Grasp Assist aka Robo-Glove. Under development from GM and NASA, the project takes inspiration from technology designed to give Robonaut 2 a hand capable of using tools designed for humans to embed actuators in the top of the glove that provide additional grip for the hands of meatbags. Once its pressure sensors detect the wearer is picking up a tool the synthetic tendons retract, holding them there until the sensor gives the signal to release. Current prototypes still weigh about two pounds and run off of a belt-mounted lithium-ion battery, although we still find the idea preferable to humanoid replacement like the impervious-to-baseball-bats DLR Hand System. By reducing the amount of force factory workers need to hold a tool from 15 to 20 pounds to just 5 to 10 pounds its expected to cut down the risk of repetitive motion injuries -- we'll wait for the fourth generation model to see what they can do for bloggers or Lee Evans. Until then, check after the break for a press release and quick demonstration video.

Continue reading NASA, GM working on a 'Robo-Glove' to assist astronauts and autoworkers alike

NASA, GM working on a 'Robo-Glove' to assist astronauts and autoworkers alike originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Mar 2012 07:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

NASA activates Robotnaut 2 on board the ISS, watch it live (video)

Donald Melanson — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 12:01:00 EST

You've already seen it unboxed on board the International Space Station, and now you can watch as the crew of the ISS activates Robotnaut 2 and begins to put it through its paces. The robot was turned on just before eleven o'clock Eastern, but there's still plenty more to see -- head on past the break for the live stream. Naturally, you can also keep up with the robot's progress on its Twitter feed.

Update: And that's a wrap for today. Robonaut 2 has been powered down and put to bed, with additional tests planned for tomorrow. If you missed it, you can catch a video of today's activities here.

Continue reading NASA activates Robotnaut 2 on board the ISS, watch it live (video)

NASA activates Robotnaut 2 on board the ISS, watch it live (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Feb 2012 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Robonaut 2 gets unboxed in space, plans for galactic domination

Sam Sheffer — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 02:48:00 EST

Remember that nondescript space shuttle that launched about a month ago -- you know, the one responsible for carrying this here nondescript humanoid robot into the outer reaches of our galaxy? Well, things went according to plan and the robot has been successfully deployed in the International Space Station, making way for the first ever robot-human space crew. R2, weighing in at 300 pounds with just a torso, head and two arms, cost NASA and GM a cool $2.5 million to build, and there's no telling what kind of handling fees were applied when shoving him into his SLEEPR crate. Because of his dexterity, the bot is up above the clouds to help out with chores and assist crew members with science experiments and handling human tools -- easy for us to say, but even easier for you to grok if you slam the play button just after the break.

Continue reading Robonaut 2 gets unboxed in space, plans for galactic domination

Robonaut 2 gets unboxed in space, plans for galactic domination originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 02:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Space Shuttle Discovery launches at 4:50PM ET today with Robonaut 2 on board

Donald Melanson — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 15:39:00 EST

We doubt many of you need a reminder but, just in case, we're here to let you know that Space Shuttle Discovery is set for lift off today, at 4:50PM ET. While all shuttle launches are certainly worth watching, this one's particularly notable for a number of reasons -- it's the last mission for Discovery and the third-to-last mission for the entire Space Shuttle program, and it's the first mission to carry a humanoid robot into space: our friend Robonaut 2. Head on past the break to watch Spaceflight Now's live coverage of the launch.

[Image: NASA / Flickr]

Update: Liftoff! Humanoid robots in spaaaaaace.

Continue reading Space Shuttle Discovery launches at 4:50PM ET today with Robonaut 2 on board

Space Shuttle Discovery launches at 4:50PM ET today with Robonaut 2 on board originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 15:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Robonaut 2: the trailer

Donald Melanson — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 20:15:00 EST

In a world where the space shuttle program was in its last days... one robot answered the call to serve... persevered... and found that... just maybe... he had the right stuff too. Now... the mission is set... the countdown is on... and the ticket is one-way. Thursday, February, 24th. 2011. Robonaut 2: The Beginning.

[Thanks, Joe B.]

Continue reading Robonaut 2: the trailer

Robonaut 2: the trailer originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 20:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Visualized: Robonaut 2 settles in for month-long shuttle delay

Donald Melanson — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 22:33:00 EST

NASA's recent announcement of a month-long delay for the launch of the space shuttle Discovery is no doubt disappointing for everyone involved, but it's hitting our friend Robonaut 2 particularly hard. While the human astronauts are able to relax and go about their business, Robonaut is forced to stay in his custom-made SLEEPR crate for the duration of the delay, with nothing but a pair of hand koozies and some "trash foam" for comfort. In fact, the real state of affairs is even less dignified than what you see above -- head on past the break for a look at the hard life of a robot.

Continue reading Visualized: Robonaut 2 settles in for month-long shuttle delay

Visualized: Robonaut 2 settles in for month-long shuttle delay originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 07 Nov 2010 22:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Robonaut 2 will Tweet from Space, oust HAL as mayor

Thomas Ricker — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 09:40:00 EST

Robonaut 2, the humanoid offspring of NASA and GM, is set to blast off to the International Space Station next month. The highly dexterous anthropomorphic robot is designed to ultimately assist crews with dangerous and repetitive tasks like space walks and uh, managing the Twitter feed. R2, as it's affectionately known, is still a prototype, and will be hitching a ride aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery to test performance in microgravity. While there, R2 (or at least the team operating it) will be Tweeting live updates from the man cave via the @AstroRobonaut (hashtag #4R2) Twitter account. But please, for the love of humanity, somebody get that bot a Bumper... the last thing we need is a frustrated robot within arms' reach of 12.5 million newtons of liquid lightning.

Robonaut 2 will Tweet from Space, oust HAL as mayor originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Aug 2010 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Robonaut 2 enters final preparations before flying off into space

Vlad Savov — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 11:01:00 EST

Tests, upgrades and final checks are being carried out on the Robonaut 2, the humanoid spacefaring robot that has been in the works since 2007. The baby of NASA and General Motors, this sack of metal and wires has already produced a catalog of 34 new patents and, according to GM, is setting the stage for new safety features in forthcoming generations of its road vehicles. Sensor technology being developed in the R2 could deliver better lane departure warning systems, adaptive cruise control, and more intelligent parking assistance. That's good news and all, but can we ship it out to the ISS already -- we'd rather it be off-world when its instruction set switches from "serve humans" to "serve human meat."

Continue reading Robonaut 2 enters final preparations before flying off into space

Robonaut 2 enters final preparations before flying off into space originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Jul 2010 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

NASA successfully tests autonomous lunar lander navigation system, codename GENIE (video)

Sean Hollister — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 21:33:00 EST

Robonaut2 may have fantastic biceps, but raw muscle won't put a ~~man~~ humanoid on the moon -- that takes rockets. Rockets like the one in this RR-1 prototype lander, recently outfitted with a Guidance Embedded Navigator Integration Environment (GENIE) system to let the craft safely descend to the lunar surface. On June 23rd, NASA and partner Armadillo Aerospace put the system to the test, hoping it could figure out the complex algorithms necessary to process volumes of data from the laser altimeter, GPS and inertial sensors, and quickly enough to steer the rocket engine accordingly... but the machine performed like a charm. See its first solo flight in an inspiring, flame-filled video after the break, and skip to 4:12 for the good stuff.

Continue reading NASA successfully tests autonomous lunar lander navigation system, codename GENIE (video)

NASA successfully tests autonomous lunar lander navigation system, codename GENIE (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 03 Jul 2010 21:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

NASA and GM's humanoid Robonaut2 blasting into space this September (video)

Tim Stevens — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 07:24:00 EST

Remember Robonaut2, the gold-headed robot that first flexed its biceps back in February? He's been called up -- way up. NASA has given him a one-way ticket to the International Space Station aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery on a departure that's currently scheduled for September. It's not entirely clear what he'll be doing up there beyond making awe-inspiring poses like the one shown above, but he is slated to help during spacewalks and will be the first humanoid robot to leave the atmosphere. We just want to know whose shirts he'll wear.

Update: Thanks to Joe at the Johnson Space Center we now have a video commemorating this achievement after the break.

Continue reading NASA and GM's humanoid Robonaut2 blasting into space this September (video)

NASA and GM's humanoid Robonaut2 blasting into space this September (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Apr 2010 07:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

International Space Station gets 'Man Cave,' Robonaut 2

Sean Hollister — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 09:50:00 EST

In the narrow confines of the International Space Station, every cubic inch counts, but that won't necessarily keep NASA from building a rec room. When the Leonardo Pressurized Multipurpose Module (PMM) launches in September 2010, NASA is considering turning it into a internet-connected "man cave" isolated and quiet enough for astronauts to tweet in privacy. The connection's nothing special -- science officer T.J. Creamer compared it to that of a 14.4K modem capable of only tweets, text articles and basic browsing -- but Universe Today reports that they will also have a robotic servant, the Robonaut 2, to play with. Imagine a cramped world without fresh water or YouTube, but where you can program a state-of-the-art robot to perform monotonous tasks... We think that's a fair tradeoff, don't you?

[Thanks, Robert P.]

International Space Station gets 'Man Cave,' Robonaut 2 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 28 Mar 2010 09:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

NASA and GM's Robonaut2 allows human astronauts to feel the fear of obsolescence (video)

Tim Stevens — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 07:39:00 EST

About a decade ago, two of our favorite government entities, NASA and DARPA, paired off to create the robotic astronaut of the future: Robonaut. He had a cool copper helmet and some faux-muscly arms, but ultimately never made it to space. Now, 10 years on, NASA's back with Robonaut2, created along with General Motors, who hopes to enslave poor R2 in its assembly plants. The details of exactly what has changed in this iteration are slim, but R2 is said to be more dexterous than its predecessor and stronger too, able to lift a 20lb dumbbell without getting all red in the face. It also seems to have lasers in its knuckles for some reason we can't quite figure out, but we're digging the look nevertheless. R2 is said to be helping NASA into a "bold new era of space exploration," and while we don't know exactly when that bold new era begins (now?), we do have a particularly menacing video of the original Robonaut included below, as well as ~~one~~ two of the fit and trim new model.

Gallery: NASA and GM's Robonaut2

[Thanks, Adam]

Continue reading NASA and GM's Robonaut2 allows human astronauts to feel the fear of obsolescence (video)

NASA and GM's Robonaut2 allows human astronauts to feel the fear of obsolescence (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Feb 2010 07:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments