In the February start set Robonaut 2

31 January 2011: NASA's Robonaut 2 is primed and ready for launch on board the space shuttle Discovery in February. R2 is so willing, indeed that it is his legs before the until that will follow at a later start.

"The robot legs ready, not yet", Rob Ambrose by NASA says Johnson Space Center. "We are still testing." "But there is much to do while waiting for his lower extremities R2."

R2 is the first humanoid robot to travel and work in the area, so there will be training for some great responsibility.

"These robots is finally right crew to the space station '. '""be" (Ambrose says that R2 is neither man nor woman.)

Thanks to the legs and a few other upgrades has a bright future, "it". In fact, the ultimate goal for R2 is, help the astronauts with EVAs. But first, as a student in the school, the robot must reach progressive new functions - such as the leg-are added and it acquires new skills.

"For his first training, R2 is placed on a solid foundation for teaching on a task Board." "The Board has switch to master how to operate those astronauts, and the crew controllers and connectors to tasks for R2 is mock."

Once the legs are added, the trainees within the station, can move wipe handrails, vacuuming air filter and doing other mundane tasks for the crew.

"Much spend as those of us here on Earth below, space station astronauts their Saturday morning cleaning." R2's legs will return their Saturday morning the crew! It is time to more efficient use of the astronauts. You do not need time to lose can do this simple thing R2. "

The legs have special toes, who can learn space station to R2 in the walls, without the hands to climb. "Take the hands free, cleaning supplies and tools, must be", Ambrose explains. "Remember, robot bags make things have."

But there is another reason for the climbing lessons. R2 will need an expert "no hands Spider-man" before it can graduate to the most important tasks: perform EVAs.

"R2 practice inside first because if it falls in an astronaut there can choose again for an another try." "A misstep outside with end R2 dangling helplessly out in space on a tether."

As soon as the robot is climbing, a new computer will send updated with software extensions to the railway station. The crew will share now it chest with one in R2. The ground team working on a battery for R2. Currently, the humanoid has as a low toaster are connected.

"We want to give more and more R2 freedom, so that we can eliminate the need for ropes and cables."

After all, these upgrades are established the robot EVA construction sites. R2 has "Eyes" (two video cameras, giving it three dimensional vision) even for an external worksite map, before the crew from leads to tackle a job.

"If the crew necessary for certain tools or 'Tuning' looks the workstation, can make the changes they R2 and put you just like it it directly." It's kind of like a nurse set for a surgeon. "The crew can then enter and quickly do several jobs in less time, and complete the work."

And in the case of emergency, R2 can a first responder.

"Can outside in a hurry to check a problem." "Astronauts have to match up to and then depressurize in the lock for hours breakfast Salon."

While they are landing Bay, the crew can map the problem through R2's "eyes" and determine the approach and tools they need to solve the State of emergency.

"Also, R2 can remain outside work as long as necessary, while people can remain only temporary."

What are other adventure in store for R2?

"There are so many possibilities for the future," said Ambrose. "For example, we could add wheels to R2 possible landing on a planet or asteroid Scout or you a workstation or a Habitat it could be directed." May one day get even a Jetpack to R2! "But we have to crawl before we can fly."

Author: Dauna Coulter | Editor: Dr. Tony Phillips | Credit: Science@NASA

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