Publisher's Synopsis
In order to create a humanoid robot that might help astronauts with a variety of manipulation duties, the Robonaut project was started in 1997. R1, a prototype robot that could carry out maintenance work or be put on wheels, was the end result. In order to create a new generation of Robonaut, General Motors and NASA Johnson Space Center teamed up in 2007. R2 was unveiled in 2010, and NASA mission managers were so impressed that they decided to make room on a shuttle mission and send the robot to the International Space Station.
In February 2011, the space shuttle Discovery transported R2 to the ISS. Currently, Robonaut's main duty is to show engineers how such agile robots behave in space. However, with further development, it is hoped that Robonaut will one day take over repetitive or hazardous tasks currently performed by astronauts and even venture outside the space station to assist spacewalkers with repairs and scientific work.
