NASA’s humanoid robot, Valkyrie, is currently undergoing testing at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Named after a female figure in Norse mythology, Valkyrie is specifically designed to operate in “degraded or damaged human-engineered environments,” such as areas hit by natural disasters.
Engineers at NASA believe that humanoid robots like Valkyrie could potentially be used in space missions with the right software. According to NASA’s Dexterous Robotics Team Leader, Shaun Azimi, these robots could handle risky tasks, allowing astronauts to prioritize exploration and discovery.
In order to further explore the potential of humanoid robots in space, NASA is partnering with robotics companies, including Apptronik. This collaboration aims to learn how humanoid robots developed for terrestrial purposes could be beneficial for future humanoid robots destined for space.
Apptronik, known for its development of Apollo, a humanoid robot designed for warehouses and manufacturing plants, is working to enhance the capabilities of these robots. One of the key advantages of Apollo over its human counterparts is its endurance. It is designed to work for 22 hours a day and features a swappable battery.
The CEO of Apptronik, Jeff Cardenas, believes that Apollo’s abilities can be further improved through new software and development, making it suitable for use in “unstructured spaces,” including space missions.
NASA’s interest in partnering with robotics companies like Apptronik stems from its desire to understand the key gaps and necessary future investments to bring a terrestrial humanoid robot into the space environment and certify it for operation in space.
The ongoing testing and collaboration between NASA and companies like Apptronik are clear indicators of the agency’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology and exploring the potential of humanoid robots in future space missions. With the advancements in software and development, the day when humanoid robots operate alongside astronauts in space might not be far away.
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