Robonaut 2

NASA is training a humanoid space robot to pull double duty as an emergency doctor in space — a surrogate physician that could one day be controlled by experts on Earth to help sick or injured astronauts.

The $2.5 million Robonaut 2, nicknamed R2, is designed to work alongside the astronauts and even take over some of their more tedious duties inside and outside the International Space Station. The new NASA training is adding telemedicine skills to that mix.

In a new video of Robonaut 2's telemedicine training, the automaton performed an ultrasound scan on a mannequin and even used a syringe like it would to administer a real-life injection. The tests were performed using a ground-based version of R2 robot, the mechanical twin of the one currently aboard the space station.

"I would say that within an hour I trained him more than with other students I'm working for a week, so I think that he's learning really fast," Dr. Zsolt Garami, of the Houston Methodist Research Institute, says in the video.

Far from earthly hospitals, astronauts who currently live on space station, typically in six-month-long stints, must be trained in basic surgery and medical procedures in case of an emergency. But Robonaut 2, which has a camera-equipped head, could administer care to spaceflyers, controlled by doctors on the ground.

So far, tests with Robonaut 2 have shown that human controllers can perform tasks "correctly and efficiently by using R2's dexterity to apply the appropriate level of force and can track their progress using R2's vision system," NASA officials explained in a video description. Garami said the robot might eventually be able to learn to do some tasks on its own.

Robonaut 2's telemedical skills could be useful on Earth, too, allowing doctors to conduct complex medical procedures on humans in remote locations, according to NASA.

The space-bound Robonaut 2 launched to the International Space Station as just a torso with arms in 2011 during the final flight of the space shuttle Discovery. That Robonaut 2 will get legs, a set of high-tech limbs with seven joints each, sometime later this year, NASA officials have said.

Finally, through the preparation for 15 years, the first human-like robot, will be blasted off into space on Monday, November 1, 2010 to come.

The entourage of astronauts aboard the space shuttle Discovery, Robonaut 2, the name of the robot, will join astronauts and cosmonauts who will hang out for a few months on the international space station.

Robonaut Robonaut 2 is the successor to the first generation robot, which was developed by NASA with a variety of partners, including DARPA. Later, Robonaut 2 was developed by NASA along with General Motors since 2007. "This will be the first humanoid robot in space,"

Arriving at the space station, the robot valued at US $ 2.5 million that will be tested to ensure its ability to do various things in zero-gravity conditions. This robot will help the tasks that are at risk for humans.

"The challenge that we received when starting the project Robonaut is to build something that has the ability to accomplish tasks deft as it is done by humans," said Rob Ambrose, Acting Chief of the Automation, Robotics, and Simulation Division, Johnson Space Center, NASA, such as MSNBC quoted from the site.

From the beginning, the robot can be made to complete various tasks with the mandate, and safe, side by side with humans. Therefore, all of the metal in her body covered with soft materials.

He has fingers, palms similar to humans, so that it can grip or hold an envelope like humans. Sensors in the robot is also programmed as safe as possible.

When in charge of robot feel unexpected objects, for example, he hit the head of the human astronauts, the robot is programmed to immediately stop its movement. When he felt the pressure or blows with a large enough force, it will immediately shut itself down.

In the early days of testing, the robot is controlled via the console like a computer, it will be given light duties tedious for humans, such as cleaning the banister or clean the air filter.

Next, the robot will be given the task increasingly difficult, including for maneuver in the conduct spacewalk outside the space station and technical improvements.

"This project demonstrates the expectations of future generations of robots both in space and on earth. Not as a substitute for a human, but as a companion who can help a variety of activities, "said NASA.

After that, NASA has not had the intention to bring Robonout 2 to return to earth. That is, for the robot, the launch on Monday, will be a one-way ticket to the 'home' in space.