Japanese Consortium Projects a Humanoid Robot On the Moon By 2015

JoshuaInNippon writes "A Japanese manufacturing cooperative named Astro-Technology SOHLA announced on April 27th that they are planning to create and send a two-legged humanoid robot to the moon, have it draw the Japanese flag on the surface, and hopefully then get it to return to the Earth, all by the year 2015. The group wants to inspire people, particularly in Japan, about space and generate confidence among SMEs to create low-cost space technology. While the idea may seem far-fetched to some, SOHLA had success in building a small low-cost satellite named Maido-1, which was launched into space aboard a Japanese H-IIA rocket in early 2009. The group also commented that they want to have their future humanoid robot hitch a ride to the moon with a surveying rover that JAXA is building."

Comments

And What Will It Do?

[WrongSizeGlass]

Will it be able to hit golfballs like the earlier astronauts? Will it plant a flag? Hell, will it even be able to right itself or free itself from its restraints once it 'lands'?

If they just want to lose a robot, they should send it down the Jersey Turnpike and see how it does in the truck lanes.

Flag planting as proof of ownership or visitation

[networkzombie]

Flag planting by proxy? Will the robot then walk over to the U.S. flag and tear it down?

Re:Why 2-legged?

[natehoy]

So, waa-a-a-ait, you're saying four legs good, two legs baa-aa-aad?