• Share

Finally, NASA is getting ready to launch the first robotnaut (R2) to space. R2, which was develop under a cooperative agreement by NASA and General Motors, is going to become the first robot to leave permanently on the International Space Station (ISS). The robot will be primarily working along astronauts and helping them in primary tasks of laboratory.

R2 weights 300 pounds and it is a combination of 2 arms, head and torso.  The mission will be launched out in September which goes under the name STS-133.

Once in the space the main task of the engineers will be monitoring the performance of the robot, especially in conditions without gravity.  In an interview John Olson, director of NASA's Exploration Systems Integration Office at NASA Headquarters in Washington said, "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."

Also Alan Taub, vice president of GM's global research and development said "The extreme levels of testing R2 has undergone as it prepares to venture to the International Space Station are on par with the validation our vehicles and components go through on the path to production."

Although the project is still under several tests, the Company General Motors is already planning the implementation of this technology on future manufacturing technologies that will improve the health and safety of the GM team members at their manufacturing plants.