A humanoid robot in the International Space Station

A companion robot to the International Space Station astronauts...

A humanoid robot in space! The International Space Station for a few hours, has a new occupant in the presence of Robonaut 2 (R2 to his friends) has been enabled by the cosmonauts. This since the month of February in the station, this robot is the result of a fifteen year collaboration between Nasa and General Motors has come "to life".

It is of course experimental and programmed to play the role of an assistant on board in the daily missions of astronauts. According to Nasa, if all the tests go well, it could even be entrusted with certain filters and a few exits space cleaning around the station instead of the astronauts.

But before work, this robot must acclimate to the environment of the station, and succeed to not interfere with the human inhabitants by managing properly the severity. Many adjustments to the level programs that it brings and that control will thus be made in the coming weeks. R2 has a camera instead of the eyes and Nasa would like to distribute, on a dedicated Facebook page, first image (unfortunately in poor quality) that sees the robot in the station. After these first tests, Robonaut 2 has been re-off, it will be in service in a few days for a new battery of tests.

 

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Comparison test robot vacuum cleaners

At hardware.info we rarely spend attention to gadgets, especially if the link with computers is not clear. For robot vacuum cleaners, we make an exception. These devices have a high gadget factor, but they are also autonomous, programmable computers that may be the beginning could usher in a larger robot revolution.

Robot vacuum cleaners have been in existence for a while: the American iRobot released in 2002 the first variant of its Roomba vacuum cleaner on the market and since then there have been more than twenty worldwide brands that also a product placed on the market. Especially in America are vacuum robots already popular for years. Now it is clear to make jokes about lazy Americans, but now also discovers Europe that such an automated home help really has a practical use and is more than just a gadget. Because unless vacuuming a hobby you is, can a robot to ensure that your home remains clean and that you have more free time.

Brands and models

The number of models that is available in Europe is enormously behind America. With a lot of pain and effort we found earlier this year three brands that deliver officially in Netherlands and to a comparative test wanted to do. We are talking about iRobot, Samsung and Infinuvo. Other brands like ASUS, MSI, Dyson, Electrolux, Neato and LG make and sell although robots, but not (yet) in Netherlands. Although of course you can get everything via the internet from abroad, it is precisely in mechanical devices such as robot vacuum cleaners be pleasant if you locally for warranty and spare parts.

Since writing this article, we also have a Philips robot vacuum cleaner, tested the HomeRun FC9910. A review of this device can be found here.

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A humanoid robot in the International Space Station

A companion robot to the International Space Station astronauts...

A humanoid robot in space! The International Space Station for a few hours, has a new occupant in the presence of Robonaut 2 (R2 to his friends) has been enabled by the cosmonauts. This since the month of February in the station, this robot is the result of a fifteen year collaboration between Nasa and General Motors has come "to life".

It is of course experimental and programmed to play the role of an assistant on board in the daily missions of astronauts. According to Nasa, if all the tests go well, it could even be entrusted with certain filters and a few exits space cleaning around the station instead of the astronauts.

But before work, this robot must acclimate to the environment of the station, and succeed to not interfere with the human inhabitants by managing properly the severity. Many adjustments to the level programs that it brings and that control will thus be made in the coming weeks. R2 has a camera instead of the eyes and Nasa would like to distribute, on a dedicated Facebook page, first image (unfortunately in poor quality) that sees the robot in the station. After these first tests, Robonaut 2 has been re-off, it will be in service in a few days for a new battery of tests.

 

Read More