Houston and Austin, Texas, Dec 27 (Reuters) - In the vast expanse of space, a new frontier is emerging, and it's not just limited to astronauts. Meet Valkyrie, NASA's formidable humanoid robot, standing tall at 6 feet 2 inches and weighing in at 300 pounds. Named after a Norse mythology figure, Valkyrie is currently undergoing tests at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. However, her mission extends beyond terrestrial challenges.
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| Humanoid Robots Revolutionizing Space Exploration |
The Evolution of Humanoid Robots: More than Meets the Eye**
A humanoid robot, with its humanoid characteristics, possesses the potential to transcend human limitations. With a torso, head, two arms, and two legs, these robots, when equipped with advanced software, may soon function comparably to humans, utilizing tools and equipment in space environments.
Valkyrie's Cosmic Tasks: Paving the Way for Human Exploration**
NASA Dexterous Robotics Team Leader, Shaun Azimi, envisions humanoid robots like Valkyrie taking on perilous assignments in space. Tasks such as cleaning solar panels and inspecting malfunctioning equipment outside the spacecraft could become routine for these robots. The primary goal? To free up astronauts to focus on exploration and discovery.
Collaboration for Cosmic Advancements: NASA and Apptronik's Partnership**
In a strategic partnership, NASA is joining forces with robotics companies like Apptronik, based in Austin, Texas. Apptronik is at the forefront with their creation, Apollo, a humanoid robot designed for earthly tasks, including warehouse operations and supply chain management.
Apptronik's Chief Technology Officer, Nick Paine, highlights Apollo's endurance as a clear advantage over its human counterparts. "We're targeting having this system online 22 hours a day," Paine said, emphasizing its swappable battery for continuous operation.
Apollo's Journey: From Warehouses to Uncharted Cosmic Territories**
Jeff Cardenas, CEO of Apptronik, sees limitless potential for Apollo. Starting in warehouses and manufacturing floors, Cardenas envisions Apollo's evolution into retail, delivery services, and beyond, into what he terms "unstructured spaces."
Shaun Azimi from NASA sees the adaptability of robots like Apollo as crucial insights. "Robots like Apollo are designed with modularity in mind to be able to adapt to many applications," Azimi said. "And that's where NASA's really trying to get that insight – to see what are the key gaps, where we would need to invest in the future to bring a terrestrial system into the space environment and certified for operating in space."
In the not-so-distant future, the boundaries of "unstructured spaces" could extend to the cosmos, opening up a realm of possibilities for humanoid robots.
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