Robonaut 2 or R2 First Humanoid robot launched into space – R2 started its work in ISS Know about R2

Robonaut 2 or R2 First Humanoid robot launched into space –
R2 started its work in ISS
Know about R2

Most Important advantage of R2 is that Robonaut can take over simple, repetitive, or especially dangerous tasks on places such as the International Space Station.
Where there will be threat to human life, Robonaut will go that place and will do the job with accuracy.

What is a Robonaut?


A Robonaut is a dexterous humanoid robot built and designed at NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.
Robonauts will expand our ability for construction and discovery.
There are currently four Robonauts, with others currently in development.

Robonaut 2 or R2, launched to the International Space Station on space shuttle Discovery as part of the STS-133 mission, it is the first dexterous humanoid robot in space, and the first US-built robot at the space station.

Robonaut 2 (R2) is a state of the art highly dexterous anthropomorphic robot.
R2 is capable of handling a wide range of EVA tools and interfaces
R2 is capable of speeds more than four times faster than R1, is more compact, is more dexterous, and includes a deeper and wider range of sensing.
Advanced technology spans the entire R2 system and includes:
1. optimized overlapping dual arm dexterous workspace
2. series elastic joint technology
3. extended finger and thumb travel
4. miniaturized 6-axis load cells
5. redundant force sensing
6. ultra-high speed joint controllers
7. extreme neck travel
8. high resolution camera
9. IR systems.
The dexterity of R2 allows it to use the same tools that astronauts currently use and removes the need for specialized tools just for robots.

On February 24th 2011, NASA launched the first human-like robot to space to become a permanent resident of the International Space Station. Robonaut 2 or R2

And Now R2 started its work.

Astronauts at the International Space Station unpacked Robonaut on Tuesday, 2 1/2 weeks after its arrival via shuttle Discovery. NASA broadcast the humorous unveiling ceremony Wednesday.

Robonaut — R2 — was spotted a minute later in front of a work station.

In a Twitter update, R2 announced: "Check me out. I'm in space!" A NASA employee on the ground posted the tweet.



Photo source –
AP – In this March 15, 2011 photo provided by NASA, astronaut Scott Kelly

The 300-pound R2 consists of a head and a torso with two arms and two hands.

"This project exemplifies the promise that a future generation of robots can have both in space and on Earth, not as replacements for humans but as companions that can carry out key supporting roles," said John Olson, director of NASA's Exploration Systems Integration Office at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "The combined potential of humans and robots is a perfect example of the sum equaling more than the parts. It will allow us to go farther and achieve more than we can probably even imagine today."

The dexterous robot not only looks like a human but also is designed to work like one. With human-like hands and arms, R2 is able to use the same tools station crew members use.

For now, R2 is still a prototype and does not have adequate protection needed to exist outside the space station in the extreme temperatures of space.

R2 will be tested in microgravity and subjected to the station's radiation and electromagnetic interference environments.

The interior operations will provide performance data about how a robot may work side-by-side with astronauts.

As development activities progress on the ground, station crews may be provided hardware and software to update R2 to enable it to do new tasks.

Reality views by sm –
Thursday, March 17, 2011
6.20 pm

Source –
http://robonaut.jsc.nasa.gov