The human-like robot certainly looks the part. Image Credit: NASA / Bill Stafford
Known as Valkyrie, the NASA robot could help to set up a colony ahead of the first astronauts on Mars.
The impressive robot, which stands almost six feet tall and weighs in at over 20 stone, looks like something that just walked off the set of a science fiction movie.
Designed for use in future missions to Mars, the robot is currently being developed as part of a collaboration between NASA and two universities where scientists will be working to improve its handling and walking capabilities as well as its capacity to interact with its human colleagues.
"Valkyrie is a huge scientific undertaking," said Professor Sethu Vijayakumar.
"We are looking forward to tackling the many technical challenges involved in developing a large-scale humanoid robot, and pushing the state of the art in humanoid robotics."
The ultimate goal for the robot will be to send it to Mars where it can set up and maintain human habitation facilities ahead of the arrival of the first astronauts.
Why does it not make sense to some people of the concept of human like robots on other planets? If this actually works, and the designs gets better and function better, these bi-pedal robots will be able to function and get around much more effective than say, "a cube on wheels"! It makes perfect sense to me and i hope to see this lead to better, and more effective designs in the future. These robots could have the potential to climb hills, go up very steep and rugged terrain, and get to areas otherwise inaccessible to our rovers. And if one breaks down, he'll have some friends to go fix him a... [More]
Why does it not make sense to some people of the concept of human like robots on other planets? If this actually works, and the designs gets better and function better, these bi-pedal robots will be able to function and get around much more effective than say, "a cube on wheels"! It makes perfect sense to me and i hope to see this lead to better, and more effective designs in the future. These robots could have the potential to climb hills, go up very steep and rugged terrain, and get to areas otherwise inaccessible to our rovers. And if one breaks down, he'll have some friends to go fix him a... [More]
Right on. Yeah i think NASA could do much better, and i believe they eventually will. ASIMO is pretty awesome IMO, and they put a lot of work into it. I can't even begin to imagine how human like robots will evolve over the next few decades.
the ASIMO vids arent even recent.... thats why I suggested you have a look on the tube...but robots will no doubt....blend in....one day Oh yeah, i have seen most of them. I'd like to have some faith in NASA, but sometimes i feel they put off technological advancements for funding purposes. They could do much better.
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