NASA’s R5, humanoid robot, also called Valkyrie. NASA created their R5 robot a few years ago but they have been struggling to create software sophisticated enough to enable the R5s to take on dexterous challenges. Hence, the new Space Robotics Challenge is funding two University teams to upgrade the R5 for possible space missions. (via NASA)
Two university teams have received major capital to fund further research on NASA’s humanoid robots, called Valkyrie. This summer’s DARPA Robotics Challenge (DRC) hoped to showcase NASA’s 6-foot-tall robots to demonstrate how future space missions could involve them. However, the DRC was less than impressive and demonstrated how much research is still necessary. While some were scared that NASA would abandon the robotics project altogether, their current Space Robotics Challenge has provided funding and enthusiasm for further research.
The Valkyrie, or R5, is a human-like, bi-pedal, 290 pound robot that looks like an astronaut. While the robots were previously trained for search and rescue missions, NASA is hoping that a future legion of robots can be sent to planets like Mars to prepare for future human extraterrestrial missions. An R5 robot has been sent to MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) and to Northeastern University in Boston. Each team is receiving $250,000 per year for two years to meet the upcoming Space Robotics Challenge (SRC).
The MIT team is intending to conduct a study called, “Robust Autonomy for Extreme Space Environments.” The Northeastern team’s study is titled, “Accessible Testing on Humanoid-Robot-R5 and Evaluation of NASA Administered (ATHENA) Space Robotics Challenge.” While MIT’s study seems to be focusing on how these robots can be used on extraterrestrial planets, like Mars, the Northeastern University team has a less succinct name that eludes me.
In addition to their research study, the teams are meant to be creating better software that will enable these robots to be more dexterous and perform tasks. For instance, the tasks NASA hopes each robot will be able to demonstrate during the upcoming Space Robotics Challenge includes:
- Exiting an airlock hatch
- Using a ladder to reach a terrestrial surface
- Repairing or replacing complex equipment like a broken valve or tire.
- Retrieving a power cable and connecting it on a rocky terrain 10 meters away.
The next SRC will happen virtually in September 2016. The team which scores highest will be given access to the R5 robots for a year, and prepare for the next SRC in September 2016. Hence, MIT and Northeastern University will have to work fast since they have less than a year until the SRC 2016.
Until then, who knows what students and researchers will come up with to answer this challenge by NASA. If these robots can complete these challenges, then perhaps programming robotic astronauts is a conceivable possibility in the far future. If there is still no significant progress after two years, perhaps NASA will cut their losses and scrap the R5s to fund more promising possibilities. This is certainly one among many of NASA’s robotics projects. In the past few years NASA has been calling for innovative robots to explore harsh conditions and repair satellites. It will probably be quite some time before we see any of these prototypes leaving the Earth’s atmosphere.
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