Robonaut is a humanoid robot designed for space exploration and other dangerous missions. It was created by NASA and the Department of Defense’s DARPA in 1997. The original plan was to have Robonaut ready for a mission to Mars by 2020, but the project has been delayed due to funding issues. As of 2018, Robonaut is still in development but has been tested on the International Space Station (ISS).
Robonaut is designed to be more dexterous than a human and can operate in environments that are too dangerous for humans. It has two arms with seven degrees of freedom each, as well as hands that are able to grasp tools. Its head includes cameras and sensors that allow it to see and navigate its surroundings. Robonaut also has the ability to communicate with humans via text or speech.
The goal of the Robonaut project is to create a robot that can assist astronauts with tasks both inside and outside of spacecraft. In addition to carrying out routine maintenance or repairs, Robonaut could one day help astronauts explore Mars or other distant planets. The hope is that by having a humanoid robot as part of the crew, astronauts will be able to spend more time conducting science experiments and less time on mundane tasks.
As of 2018, Robonaut is still in development but has made significant progress since its inception in 1997. Several prototype versions have been built and tested, both on Earth and aboard the ISS. While there are still some challenges that need to be addressed before Robonaut is ready for deployment on a long-term mission, such as increasing its strength and endurance, the overall consensus is that this technology holds great promise for future space exploration endeavors.