 |
Robonaut Centaur At NextFest 2006
NASA's Robonaut Centaur brings a new feature to its Robonaut telepresence robot - mobility. The new configuration is now being demonstrated at the NextFest technology exhibition (October 29-30 at the Javits Center, NYC).
(Robonaut Centaur at NextFest 2006)
Robonaut already had great dexterity in a human form (see Robonaut Performs Hubble Space Telescope Repair Tasks. It has more than 150 sensors per arm, including thermal, positional, tactile, force and torque instrumentation. In developing Robonaut with DARPA, NASA seeks to develop a robotic system that can function as an EVA (extravehicular activity) astronaut equivalent. Robonaut's human size and limb articulation make telepresence control intuitively easy.
The Robonaut Centaur configuration adds mobility for lunar roving tasks. The controller of the telepresence robot uses foot pedals to control the movement of the wheels.
(Robonaut Centaur and driver)
The controller wears a special mask to allow him to share Robonaut's point of view. As he moves his feet, Robonaut Centaur's wheels move the robot forward to an object. As he moves his arms, Robonaut moves its arms. As the controller moves his fingers to grasp the object he sees in his viewer, Robonaut flexes its fingers to grasp the object.
The insight that allows a complex robot like Robonaut to be controlled by natural human movement was achieved by science fiction writer Robert Heinlein. In his 1942 short story Waldo he described a way that a remote gripping arm could be controlled by an operator:
Waldo put his arms into the primary pair before him; all three pairs, including the secondary pair before the machine, came to life. Waldo flexed and extended his fingers gently; the two pairs of waldoes in the screen followed in exact, simultaneous parallelism.
(Read more about Waldo)
Look at more NextFest 2006 Devices, Stories and Pictures. Check out the Robonaut home page.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 9/29/2006)
Follow this kind of news @Technovelgy.| Email | RSS | Blog It | Stumble | del.icio.us | Digg | Reddit |
Would
you like to contribute a story tip?
It's easy:
Get the URL of the story, and the related sf author, and add
it here.
Comment/Join discussion ( 2 )
Related News Stories - (" Robotics ")
AirRobot Micro-UAV 'Fairies' In Shakespeare Play
No mere rude mechanicals, AirRobots played airy fairies in this performance of 'A Midsummer's Night Dream'.
Walky iPhone Finger Gesture Robot Controller
This program really makes controlling robots a breeze. Just let your fingers make your robot do the walking.
Robot Martial Arts Videos
Take a look at these four robots performing a variety of martial arts moves.
Lev, Theremin-Playing Robot
Pretty cool DIY robotic device reprises a classic song from the 1950's, the same ere during which the theremin dominated sf movie soundtracks.
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!) is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for the Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary, the Invention Timeline, or see what's New.
Current News
AirRobot Micro-UAV 'Fairies' In Shakespeare Play
At least they were not the 'rude mechanicals'.
Paralysis Ray Uses Photocontrolled Molecular Switch
Gerry was dubious. She had seen abortive attempts at paralysis rays before.
Brine Wells May Swallow Towns
Dissolve 1 teaspoon of the Quadraturin essence in 1 cup of water.
Will In-Vitro Meat Change Our Lives?
ChickieNobs, anyone?
Walky iPhone Finger Gesture Robot Controller
Let your fingers - uh - your robot do the walking. And hopping.
OnStar Stolen Vehicle Slowdown Foils Carjacker
Better than a car chase.
Robot Martial Arts Videos
Robo-Shiko!
Interactive TV Patent From Sony
Can you dance faster than the White Clown?
Smart Contact Lens With Power Harvesting Circuits
Smart contacts with VR connections.
'Significant Amount' Of Lunar Water Found
Droogs! There's water ice on the moon!
FOXP2 Tweak Yields Planet Of The Apes?
Get your filthy words off me, you damn dirty ape!
Lev, Theremin-Playing Robot
Patsy Cline classic played by robot.
XT-1 Micro Mouse With Blazing Speed
These are fully autonomouse robots.
Escape Pods, Refuge Of ISS Astronauts From Space Junk
Who first thought about escape pods?
Steerable Bowling Ball Is A Cheesy Spherical Robot
Once the province of geeks, now in bowling alleys.
Bio-Mechanics And Micro-Robotic Flight
Micro air vehicles and insect flight.
