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NASA’s first bipedal humanoid robot, Valkyrie, is undergoing a few of its final testing phases at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.
A humanoid, much like Iron Man but constructed from metal and electronics, mimics human walking and appearance. Designed for a diverse array of functions, NASA is exploring if such machines can further space exploration, starting with the Artemis mission, according to Reuters.
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Valkyrie, named after a prominent female figure in Norse mythology, commands attention with her formidable presence. Standing at 6 feet 2 inches (188 centimeters) and weighing 300 pounds (136 kilograms), NASA is an electric humanoid robot capable of operating in degraded or damaged human-engineered environments.
In July, the humanoid robot underwent testing in Australia to assess its software, generating valuable data and feedback for NASA. These tests aimed to advance remote mobile dexterous manipulation capabilities to enable the remote maintenance of unmanned and offshore energy facilities.
Helping hands
The Johnson Space Center (JSC) Engineering Directorate conceived and constructed NASA’s Valkyrie specifically for participation in the 2013 DARPA Robotics Challenge (DRC) Trials. Drawing on the knowledge gained from the creation of Robonaut 2, the Valkyrie team at the Johnson Space Center (JSC) developed and constructed this robot in 15 months. They incorporated enhanced electronics, actuators, and sensing capabilities based on the advancements made in earlier generations of humanoid robots at JSC.
Humanoid robots deployed in space hold the potential to undertake hazardous tasks such as cleaning solar panels or inspecting malfunctioning equipment outside spacecraft. This capability allows astronauts to prioritize exploration and discovery without compromising their safety.
“We’re not trying to replace human crews, we’re just trying to take the dull, dirty, and dangerous work off their plates to allow them to focus on those higher-level activities,” told Shaun Azimi, NASA Dexterous Robotics Team Leader, to Reuters.
NASA has collaborated with robotics firms, including Apptronik based in Austin, Texas, to explore the insights gained from humanoid robots designed for Earthly applications. This collaboration aims to uncover ways in which advancements in terrestrial humanoid robotics can be harnessed to enhance the capabilities of future humanoid robots destined for space missions.
“Valkyrie and other advanced mobile robots can be vital tools in allowing humans to supervise dangerous work remotely and to offload dull and repetitive tasks, enabling humans to work on higher level tasks, including deploying and maintaining robots. These principles apply to both space and Earth, where companies are recognizing the value of human-scale robots,” said a statement from NASA.
Advanced offering
Valkyrie has versatile power options, allowing it to operate from a wall connection or using a custom dual-voltage battery, providing approximately an hour of runtime. When the battery is not in use, it can be substituted with a mass simulator and capacitor, mimicking the mechanical and electrical properties of the battery.
The robot’s head, mounted on a 3 DOF neck, integrates the Carnegie Robotics Multisense SL as the primary perceptual sensor, enhanced for IR structured light point cloud generation, alongside laser and passive stereo methods. Additionally, fore and aft “hazard cameras” embedded in the torso contribute to situational awareness, according to NASA.
The torso accommodates a series of elastic rotary and linear actuators facilitating motion between the torso and pelvis, housing various computer and power facilities. The pelvis, the robot’s base frame, contains three series of elastic rotary actuators for waist and hip rotation joints and IMUs for stability. Valkyrie’s upper arms boast four elastic rotary actuators, each featuring quick disconnects for convenient shipping and servicing.
The simplified humanoid hands, comprising three fingers and a thumb, attach to the forearms, which consist of rotary and linear actuators, allowing for easy disconnection for maintenance. The lower limbs incorporate a series of elastic rotary actuators in the upper legs and a series of elastic linear actuators for ankle movement, emphasizing convenient assembly and serviceability with quick disconnects at the first two leg joints.
NASA hopes that backing Valkyrie’s progress on Earth will yield valuable data and insights that its teams will incorporate into ongoing and future robotics and automation development for space applications.
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