R2 ROBONAUT NASA LAUNCH

This week marked the final NASA launch to the International Space Station with the space shuttle Discovery (OV-103).  Our team was invited to General Motors to see the R2 Robonaut in action just prior to launch training. The video of this historic launch and mission details are posted below. 

http://robonaut.jsc.nasa.gov/default.asp
  

R2 will remain aboard the ISS indefinitely and if all goes well, it will eventually be used to perform mundane maintenance and service tasks.  Upgraded versions of R2 could eventually perform space walks.

GM engineers are also studying how the technology embedded within R2 can be put to use within manufacturing facilities to help create a safer working environment. The dexterity and endurance of R2 can be used alongside people to help reduce repetitive stress injuries and the R2 sensing capabilities can be used in collision avoidance systems.

Before R2 begins regular duties alongside the astronauts, he will go through a period of testing and further development aboard the space station. The twin to the robot on the ISS remains at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, where engineers are refining its sensing and control systems - you can see him waving goodbye to the shuttle in the video above! This is the robot we viewed at General Motors. 

Based on the data measured on the orbiting station, the engineers on the ground will provide updated software and hardware. R2 is a great technology and we are proud to have witnessed it in person!