NASA to send human-like 'Robonaut' to space (CNN)

[eppur_se_muova]

In a not too distant future, on a space station not too far away, there will be a 300-pound human-like robot to assist astronauts on space missions.
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At least that's the plan for Robonaut 2, or R2, a space station robot developed by NASA and General Motors Corp.

R2 is set to make its debut in September on space shuttle Discovery. While not quite as handy as C-3PO or R2D2 from the "Star Wars" franchise, NASA officials have equipped Robonaut 2 with human-like hands and arms to hold the same tools that station crew members use.

"This project exemplifies the promise that a future generation of robots can have both in space and on Earth, not as replacements for humans but as companions that can carry out key supporting roles," said John Olson, director of NASA's Exploration Systems Integration Office.
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While R2 undergoes extreme testing, GM officials hope the technology can be used in auto plants that use robotics.
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more: http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2010/04/19/nasa-to-send-human-like-robonaut-to-space/

http://www.nasa.gov/topics/technology/features/robonaut_photos.html




Great! These guys can go into space without need for air, water, and food supplies. Should save a lot of liftoff weight. And no ethical worries on high risk, or one-way, missions. (Remember all that worry about whether it was "worth it" to upgrade Hubble?)

And when they get back to Earth, they can bust unions! :sarcasm: <-- I hope

Hint to NASA/GM: No need to build them all life size. Scale some down to 1/100th scale or smaller, makes them great for working on electronics. Scale them up for construction, or to stomp downtown Tokyo.

[NoNothing]

1. I, for one,

welcome these "robo-nauts" orbiting above us in a kind of "sky-net." What could possibly go wrong?

[joshcryer]

2. Finally, now operate it remotely from Earth.

You just put up a robot capable of doing the job of two or three astronauts (cumulative time; no need to get back in the airlock after 8 hours).