Humanoid robots... Will they replace astronauts?

2024-01-08 2024-01-08T10:58:35Z

Weather of Arabia - In the era of modern technology, developments in the field of human robots are witnessing remarkable progress, which raises questions about their future role, especially in the field of space exploration, and this article examines the possibility of replacing astronauts with human robots, exploring the development and improvement techniques taking place in this field, But can humanoid robots efficiently accomplish human missions in space?

"Valkyrie"...a humanoid robot that opens new horizons in space exploration

Standing at 188 centimeters tall and weighing 136 kilograms, NASA's humanoid robot, Valkyrie, is a model of respect.

NASA announced that Valkyrie was designed to operate in “degraded or damaged” environments, such as areas affected by natural disasters. The robot is currently being tested at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, and although it is intended to be used for disaster intervention missions, the use of humanoid robots in space is a possibility in the future.

A humanoid robot has a similarity to a human in its structure, containing a torso, head, arms, and legs. Engineers believe that humanoid robots will, eventually, be able to perform tasks similar to those performed by humans, using appropriate software and using the same tools and equipment.

NASA reviews the use of humanoid robots in space

Humanoid robots in space can perform dangerous tasks, such as cleaning solar panels or inspecting malfunctioning equipment outside a spacecraft, allowing astronauts to focus on exploration and discovery, said Sean Azimi, leader of NASA's skilled robotics team.

Azimi stressed that the goal is not to replace human crews, but rather to improve their operations, as robots are loaded with monotonous, dangerous, and dirty tasks, allowing humans to devote themselves to higher-value activities. The NASA team is collaborating with companies such as Aptronic in Texas to understand how robots can be useful to humans in Space missions, and how they can be developed to benefit from them on Earth as well.