Displaying items by tag: robonaut

A Robonaut is a dexterous humanoid robot built and designed at NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, USA.

Robonaut differs from other current space-faring robots in that, while most current space robotic systems (such as robotic arms, cranes and exploration rovers) are designed to move large objects, Robonaut's tasks require more dexterity.

The core idea behind the Robonaut series is to have a humanoid machine work alongside astronauts.

The challenge is to build machines that can help humans work and explore in space. Working side by side with humans, or going where the risks are too great for people, Robonauts will expand our ability for construction and discovery. Central to that effort is a capability called dexterous manipulation, embodied by an ability to use one's hand to do work. The challenge is to build machines with dexterity that exceeds that of a suited astronaut.

Robonaut version R2 flew on the ISS, delivered by STS-133, in Feb 2011.