COMMENT & OPINION: NASA/GM Robonaut 2 (R2)
Description
Collection
Title:
COMMENT & OPINION: NASA/GM Robonaut 2 (R2)
Date:
11/4/2010
Text:
COMMENT & OPINION: NASA/GM Robonaut 2 (R2)
Tomorrow, if all goes as planed, at 3:03 PM (EST) the launch of STS 133 Shuttle Discovery will take place and onboard this final launch of the Shuttle Discovery will be the first humanoid robot, Robonaut 2, ever sent into space. The development of the Robonaut 2, also known as “R2” (Sound familiar?—R2D2) has been a joint venture between NASA and General Motors in an effort to develop a dexterous robot that could perform certain tasks in space, which previously would have to be performed only by an Astronauts during a space walk procedure.
Having spent my entire career as a specialist in upper limb prosthetics and research, in the clinical application of electric powered limb prostheses, I have followed NASA’s space travel and technology developments, going back to their very early NASA Tech Briefs series, which have positively impacted our profession. Over the years, many of NASA’s developments have led to advancements in the technology of the electric powered arm prostheses we utilize in today’s practice, as well as those currently under development.
The development of the Robonaut 2 will obviously be no exception to the NASA research benefits. The functional capabilities of R-2, especially those of the its multi-degree of freedom dexterous hands, is a remarkable step forward that will and already is challenging those developing more sophisticated myoelectric and/or neuroelectric control technologies.
Whether it be in the in the areas of electronic circuit design, microprocessors, control technologies, sensors, motors, batteries and/or materials technology, NASA developments have always had a direct impact on the advancement of electric powered and electronic arm prosthesis, which were the first electronic devises ever introduced into our profession in the late 60’s and early 70’s.
Although these “electronic gadget and devices,” as they were referred to then, were not widely accepted when they first arrived, I am very pleased to have observed their level of acceptance and use in today’s practice of Prosthetics, as well as now including Orthotics.
I look forward to watching the launch of the STS-133 Shuttle Discovery tomorrow, which also will be the next to last Shuttle launch of the Shuttle Program that has brought us many benefits, most of which most will never truly know or realize, even if it’s technology that went into that “Star Trek Communicator” we all now can’t live without, the mobile cell phone!
As one who has enjoyed the many NASA technological benefits, both professionally and personally, it is my hope the diminishing support and enthusiasm for the NASA Space Program will not end with final Shuttle launch and flight of STS 134 Endeavor on February 27, 2011. My hats off to our late President, John F. Kennedy for his foresight and support of our country’s space program, as well as all of those who have supported it in the past!
Should anyone be interested viewing an information and videos of the Robonaut 2, the following is a link to a very interesting interactive web site on Robonaut 2, titled MyExploration, which has an introductory video, along with others, which you can copy and paste into your web browser to view:
<URL Redacted>
Also, here is the link to information on launch and flight plans for the STS-133 Shuttle Discovery:
<URL Redacted>
John N. Billock, CPO/L
Orthotics & Prosthetics Rehabilitation Engineering Centre
Warren, Ohio 44484 USA
Tomorrow, if all goes as planed, at 3:03 PM (EST) the launch of STS 133 Shuttle Discovery will take place and onboard this final launch of the Shuttle Discovery will be the first humanoid robot, Robonaut 2, ever sent into space. The development of the Robonaut 2, also known as “R2” (Sound familiar?—R2D2) has been a joint venture between NASA and General Motors in an effort to develop a dexterous robot that could perform certain tasks in space, which previously would have to be performed only by an Astronauts during a space walk procedure.
Having spent my entire career as a specialist in upper limb prosthetics and research, in the clinical application of electric powered limb prostheses, I have followed NASA’s space travel and technology developments, going back to their very early NASA Tech Briefs series, which have positively impacted our profession. Over the years, many of NASA’s developments have led to advancements in the technology of the electric powered arm prostheses we utilize in today’s practice, as well as those currently under development.
The development of the Robonaut 2 will obviously be no exception to the NASA research benefits. The functional capabilities of R-2, especially those of the its multi-degree of freedom dexterous hands, is a remarkable step forward that will and already is challenging those developing more sophisticated myoelectric and/or neuroelectric control technologies.
Whether it be in the in the areas of electronic circuit design, microprocessors, control technologies, sensors, motors, batteries and/or materials technology, NASA developments have always had a direct impact on the advancement of electric powered and electronic arm prosthesis, which were the first electronic devises ever introduced into our profession in the late 60’s and early 70’s.
Although these “electronic gadget and devices,” as they were referred to then, were not widely accepted when they first arrived, I am very pleased to have observed their level of acceptance and use in today’s practice of Prosthetics, as well as now including Orthotics.
I look forward to watching the launch of the STS-133 Shuttle Discovery tomorrow, which also will be the next to last Shuttle launch of the Shuttle Program that has brought us many benefits, most of which most will never truly know or realize, even if it’s technology that went into that “Star Trek Communicator” we all now can’t live without, the mobile cell phone!
As one who has enjoyed the many NASA technological benefits, both professionally and personally, it is my hope the diminishing support and enthusiasm for the NASA Space Program will not end with final Shuttle launch and flight of STS 134 Endeavor on February 27, 2011. My hats off to our late President, John F. Kennedy for his foresight and support of our country’s space program, as well as all of those who have supported it in the past!
Should anyone be interested viewing an information and videos of the Robonaut 2, the following is a link to a very interesting interactive web site on Robonaut 2, titled MyExploration, which has an introductory video, along with others, which you can copy and paste into your web browser to view:
<URL Redacted>
Also, here is the link to information on launch and flight plans for the STS-133 Shuttle Discovery:
<URL Redacted>
John N. Billock, CPO/L
Orthotics & Prosthetics Rehabilitation Engineering Centre
Warren, Ohio 44484 USA
Citation
“COMMENT & OPINION: NASA/GM Robonaut 2 (R2),” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 2, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/231990.
