On the Ground robotic system has achieved much flexibility.
In conjunction with Space center Houston and NASA NineSigma has opened registration for a new contest — Space Robotic Challenge. This event is aimed at finding opportunities for the development of Android, which will help astronauts to travel to Mars. Space Robotics Challenge is a competition with a prize of $ 1 million, which should expand the limits of flexibility of robots. Teams will need to program a virtual robot modelled on the NASA robot Robonaut 5 (R5), and to perform a series of tasks on the simulator involving the delay of communication.
On the Ground robotic systems have reached very flexible, thanks to the use of hydraulics, however, in space they can not be used due to temperatures below freezing and harsh conditions on the surface of planets. R5 uses elastic technology instead of hydraulics, an innovative approach, which should solve the problems of working in space. These technologies may also be useful for people on Earth because they can operate in dangerous or extreme conditions of our home planet.
“Accurate and agile robot, capable of operating with a delay of communication can be used in space missions and ground missions to Mars and to other places to solve difficult and dangerous tasks that will be crucial to support our astronauts, says of monsi Roman, NASA program Manager of Centennial Challenges. NASA and our partners are confident that the public will respond to this challenge and will be able to show innovative technology.”
The contest will run in a virtual environment. R5 each team will have to resolve effects of dust storms that damaged the Martian habitat. Task three: to adjust the plate connection, fix the solar array and repair the leak in the home.
Registration for participation in the competition began this week, the qualifying round will be held from mid-September to mid-November. The finalists of this round will be announced in December and will take part in an open practice from January until mid June 2017. Final virtual competition will be held in June 2017, and the winners will be announced by the end of June.
Software developed as part of the competition, will be extended to other robotic systems that will allow you to use it in older models of robots like Robonaut 2, and future models.
