Human-like robot comes alive aboard space station

A 330-pound humanoid robot was electronically awakened aboard the International Space Station this week, beginning its life as an astronaut's assistant.

The robot named Robonaut 2, or R2, will help with routine tasks such as holding tools and vacuuming air filters. The robot was sent up on space shuttle Discovery in February, but it wasn't powered up until now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wsldznpxc-E

Check out the video above as R2 gets unpacked.

Clad in a gold helmet with a shiny metallic visor, R2 has a torso, two arms and two five-fingered hands. For now, it sits on a fixed pedestal inside the space station.

"Next steps include a leg for climbing through the corridors of the space station," NASA said.

Once fully built, NASA envisions R2 assisting astronauts during space walks as they make mechanical fixes to the outside of the space station.

Read over @ LA Times.


By Friendly Computers Copyright: 2010-01-28


By Friendly Computers Copyright: 2010-01-28