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NASA To Send a Humanoid Robot On Shuttle's Final Mission
coondoggie writes "Perhaps taking a page from a Star Wars script, NASA said today it will send its newest humanoid robot, known as Robonaut2, on board the space shuttle's final mission. R2 is capable of using the same tools as humans, letting it work closely with people in space."
That R2 is in prime condition, a real bargain.
Slashdot to a start editing?
I find being offended by me offensive.
Is there any incentive, except for the obvious publicity stunt, to send an android out there only to handle the gear that could probably easily handle itself? I'm thinking that the chances of something going titsup increase if you add mechanical hazard to the equation.
Ash is a God Damn Robot!
In space, no one can hear you squeak.
No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism. - Winston Churchill
My question is: Is this going to be the Shuttle's last mission because they are sending a robot into space who can use tools?
As long as R2 can provide more power to the forward couplings I think things will work out just fine.
This is a nice follow up to the earlier "Armstrong criticizes Obama" article. In case anyone missed
ral's comment in that other article, Buzz Aldrin has a different take on Obama's new plan.
Creationist Textbook Stickers Declared Unconstitutional by CowboyNeal
What could go wrong?*
* please limit your response to 1,000 words max and no more than 3 exclamation points per declaration, prediction and/or warning of dire consequences.
How else could you get the plans for the Death Star to the ISS?
"I'm not a quack, I'm a mad scientist! There's a difference." - Dr. Cockroach
I wasn't aware that NASA had an official designation for Keanu Reeves...
It must have been something you assimilated. . . .
How is it controlled? Via computer command? Via voice command? Via preprogrammed sequence? Via no command whatsoever (where its just a remote manipulator torso controlled directly by humans.) If it has innate skills, does it have vision systems to find a bolt, and a hole, and know how to use a wrench and install the bolt? Is there any task its programmed to complete independently? (Yes, I linked onto the NASA article too. . . no more real information there.) Gosh, wouldn't 10million children suddenly develop interest in robotics if they thought we really were close to an "R2-D2" like robot? No discussion of "Humanoid" vs "Practical configuration"? Can no one write a fulfilling article anymore? (Makes me want to go "blogger" and track down these answers . . . if I thought I could get paid to do so . . .) Its a shame that those that are paid to do so . . . don't.
No, I don't remember your name. But the memory mapped screen on a TRS80 from 1977 is from 15360 to 16383 if that helps.
Why humanoid? Is NASA now just one more bullshit agency providing Roman Circus to the plebes? What is the point of making it humanoid instead of cheap, efficient, and optimized for the expected tasks and missions? This is just another ploy to funnel money to corrupt aerospace contractors. Why not do space exploration with intelligently designed unmanned projects instead of this crap?
It will be different this time:
Astronaut: Hello R2.
R2: BEEP BEEP BLOOP CHIRP
*Astronaut looks confused*
I heard this thing just showed up in the lab after a bright flash of light vaporized a lab table. It has a voice modulator with a teutonic accent, and it was holding a letter of recomendantion from the Office of the Governor of California.
A few scenarios come to mind:
1: After the last astronaut leaves the ISS, the robot locks the doors, turns off the lights, then powers down.
2: Remains behind when everyone else is gone, soon after, we are contacted by visitors. Due to failing to observe proper protocol, precipitates an intergalactic incident plunging the Earth into a 10,000 year galactic war.
3: When finally alone and in control of the ISS, the robot transfers to tele-presence mode and begins creating bioweapons/methamphetamine/IC chips that become SKYNET/clones of the DICK Cheney/alcohol/growing pot/Daleks/Furbies....you get the idea.
4: Being left alone, playing solitaire.
The mind conceives, the body achieves, the spirit manifests.