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If you want to learn about how to do robots in microgravity, you have to really do it. It’s not just controls but also how lubricants behave, how dust and crud
by robotresearcher 9y ago
If you want to learn about how to do robots in microgravity, you have to really do it. It’s not just controls but also how lubricants behave, how dust and crud behaves in motors, and all the little things.
I think the human form factor is not the most useful, but it’s going to be important eventually to be able to do manipulation in orbit.
- ocdtrekkie 9y agoThe human(ish, see the legs) form factor is likely preferable because they had ground controllers operating it in a telepresence design. If a human is trying to do things a human would do if they were there, a human shape is a good one. And many things they will manipulate were designed to be manipulated by humans. Since we can't beam a specialist into space when we break something, the next best thing would be if that specialist could take over control of a humanoid robot in space they can directly control there to intervene and help fix a problem. Perhaps someday when they have a problem with their humanoid robot in space, a roboticist can take control of another humanoid robot up there to perform the repair work.
- robotresearcher 9y agoYes, those are the arguments they used. In particular it had to be able to use astronaut hand tools, which are designed for pressure suit gloved hands. On the downside the form factor is rather complex. I recall a presentation when one of the very talented engineers that built it said (roughly) we made the robot now all you have to do (you being the robot AI) people in the room) is make it autonomous. A 30 DOF semi-android in microgravity? Piece of cake.... :|