You've probably already heard that on August 22, the Russian humanoid robot Skybot F-850 (this is the name of a special modification of the robot "Theodore") will go into space. In the flight, what is interesting is that the robot will be the sole occupant of the manned spacecraft "Soyuz-MS".
The device of this type for the first time in orbit launch vehicle "Soyuz-2.1a", "bunch" must be certified, and for this and needs a flight without the people on board. And just Skybot F-850 is ready to fly to the ISS :)
Flying robot to the ISS - one big experiment. The "Union", he takes command chair, and it is here that will transmit data back to Earth about the flight. ISS with it will work in avatar mode, an experienced cosmonaut Alexander Skvortsov (spent in space, a total of about a year). The operator will control the robot with a special suit ZUKT, specify the type of device controlled. The accuracy of the copy position of joints - up to 0,1 °. It checked the control accuracy sufficient for the operator to use the Skybot F-850 was able to unscrew the cap from the bottle of mineral water.
Photo: Roscosmos
Anthropomorphic robots are the optimal form for the remote control. The operator does not have a long train and sophisticated take training in order to operate a humanoid robot, all It should be as simple as the "Fedor": put on a special suit, head-mounted display and move as you like - a robot repeats.
While the F-850 Skybot designed so that the operator must be next to him, in future controlled robot launched into space and will be from Earth - the only question is delayed radio. If the signal to the ISS comes almost immediately, then to the moon, he goes about 1.2 seconds. When the robots will need to send to a really remote distance, without the artificial intelligence systems will not do - many action machine will have to perform on their own, and the role of the operator will change and he will set goals and do not operate the machine in real time.
Photo: Roscosmos
The use of humanoid robots in space - a promising direction. The creators Skybot F-850 said that if the experiment is successful, the next model is likely to It has been able to go into space instead of a person, carrying out not only difficult, but dangerous work. Another direction - repair and maintenance of unmanned spacecraft: telescopes, satellite communications, etc. In this case the problem may be a robot delivery of the satellite into orbit, but it is still much easier and cheaper than sending a manned expedition.