University of Minnesota Robotics’ Post

NASA is testing miniature robots to search for life in Europa’s ocean. Imagine a swarm of tiny robots exploring the ice-covered ocean of Jupiter’s moon! NASA has successfully tested the SWIM (Sensing With Independent Microswimmers) robots in a pool at the California Institute of Technology. These small explorers are being prepared for an ambitious mission—to search for signs of life on Europa. The robots can follow a set course, execute search patterns, and even align themselves to form letters. The current prototype is about 42 cm long, but engineers aim to reduce its size to that of a smartphone—just 12 cm. NASA engineers have equipped the robots with a unique multisensor chip capable of measuring temperature, pressure, acidity, conductivity, and the chemical composition of water—all critical parameters for detecting signs of life.

Robots building constructions in space! 🛰️ NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration's ARMADAS team is developing robots that can autonomously build large structures in space, crucial for long-term exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond. 🌝 These simple robots work together to assemble structures from lightweight building blocks, called voxels, which are strong and durable. The robots use a step-by-step method to place and secure the blocks, allowing for efficient and precise construction without human intervention. By using this system, NASA can reduce the need to send pre-assembled hardware from Earth, enabling more flexible and sustainable missions. The technology could be used to build space habitats, solar power stations, and other infrastructure for deep-space missions. What a cool use case it is! 😮💨 ~~~ ♻️ Repost to help 1 robot find a new workplace. 📬 Subscribe to my newsletter: https://lnkd.in/dzVGBKSc

Space construction with reprogrammable robot-blocks! 🧱 NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration has developed a system involving simple robots, building blocks, and smart algorithms to construct large-scale structures in space autonomously. This innovation aims to support future deep-space missions by enabling the construction of essential infrastructure such as solar power stations and habitats for the crew. The ARMADAS system utilizes inchworm-like robots to assemble, repair, and reconfigure structural materials for various purposes in space, ultimately reducing reliance on pre-assembled hardware from Earth. 🌍 By employing programmable and reconfigurable building blocks, ARMADAS can adapt to evolving needs, making it a versatile and cost-effective solution for long-term space exploration and habitation. P.S. Yes, I know it's sped up... Still impressive to me! Thoughts? Enjoyed this? ♻️ Repost to help 1 robot find a new workplace!

Meet Valkyrie, NASA's humanoid robot enters advanced stages of testing The robot is being developed to offer an helping hand to astronauts, designed to operate in hostile and hazardous 👈conditions in space. NASA's first bipedal humanoid robot, Valkyrie, is undergoing a few of its final testing phases at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.  A humanoid, much like Iron Man but constructed from metal and electronics, mimics human walking and appearance. Designed for a diverse array of functions, NASA is exploring if such machines can further space exploration, starting with the Artemis mission, according to Reuters.  Valkyrie, named after a prominent female figure in Norse mythology, commands attention with her formidable presence. Standing at 6 feet 2 inches (188 centimeters) and weighing 300 pounds (136 kilograms), NASA is an electric humanoid robot capable of operating in degraded or damaged human-engineered environments.  NASA explains fire experiments on the ISS and why they matter  * NASA’s humanoid robot heads to Australia for testing  * IHMC's Nadia: A task-ready humanoid robot with a boxing edge In July, the humanoid robot underwent testing in Australia 👈👍to assess its software, generating valuable data and feedback for NASA. These tests aimed to advance remote mobile dexterous manipulation capabilities to enable the remote maintenance of unmanned and offshore energy facilities. Helping hands The Johnson Space Center (JSC) Engineering Directorate conceived and constructed NASA's Valkyrie specifically for participation in the 2013 DARPA Robotics Challenge (DRC) Trials. Drawing on the knowledge gained from the creation of Robonaut 2, the Valkyrie team at the Johnson Space Center (JSC) developed and constructed this robot in 15 months. They incorporated enhanced electronics, actuators, and sensing capabilities based on the advancements made in earlier generations of humanoid robots at JSC. Humanoid robots deployed in space hold the potential to undertake hazardous tasks such as cleaning solar panels or inspecting malfunctioning equipment outside spacecraft. This capability allows astronauts to prioritize exploration and discovery without compromising their safety. “We’re not trying to replace human crews, 👈🙄we’re just trying to take the dull, dirty, and dangerous work off their plates to allow them to focus on those higher-level activities,” told Shaun Azimi, NASA Dexterous Robotics Team Leader, to Reuters.  NASA has collaborated with robotics firms, including Apptronik based in Austin, Texas, to explore the insights gained from humanoid robots designed for Earthly applications. This collaboration aims to uncover ways in which advancements in terrestrial humanoid roboti https://lnkd.in/g3fUVmPu

Robotic companions have long been a staple in sci-fi, but what if they became essential for human survival in space? That's the concept behind Biobot, which received a NIAC grant in 2018. Biobot aims to assist astronauts during extravehicular activities (EVAs) on other planets by carrying essential equipment, alleviating the physical strain on astronauts. Apollo mission footage shows astronauts struggling with the heavy life support systems (PLSS) on their backs, which weigh about 61 kg. This weight shifts their center of gravity, limiting mobility and causing frequent falls despite the low lunar gravity. In microgravity environments, EVAs rely on umbilical cords connected to larger life support systems inside the space station or shuttle, requiring another astronaut to manage these cords, thus reducing productivity. Dr. David Akin from the University of Maryland’s Department of Aerospace Engineering developed Biobot to address these challenges. Biobot is a small rover designed to follow an astronaut during an EVA and manage the umbilical cord itself. This design frees astronauts from the burden of carrying the heavy PLSS, restoring their center of gravity and allowing more flexibility in adding components to the life support system. Additionally, Biobot can hold collected samples, necessary tools, and even serve as an emergency ride. The Biobot prototype, developed under the NIAC grant, demonstrated the feasibility of this concept. Although no further NASA funding has been secured, volunteer students continue to support its development. The future might see astronauts exploring lunar or Martian surfaces with robotic companions that provide essential life support and a touch of humor. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eD33a4TE

The NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, has announced plans to incorporate #AugmentedReality (#AR) technology. This innovation enhances the assembly efficiency of the Roman Space Telescope, set to launch in 2027, by improving alignment accuracy and reducing time spent on checks. AR allows technicians to project digital models into physical space, identifying potential issues early and saving on costly remanufacturing. With AR, NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration engineers can precisely align components and use robotic arms for 3D laser scanning, streamlining the assembly process. The technology also facilitates remote collaboration, enabling engineers from different locations to work together effectively. By integrating QR code scanning for document transmission, the team improves metadata storage and access. The AR technology's future applications are promising, including virtual trial runs, precise post-build measurements, and ergonomic assessments. By eliminating the need for physical templates, AR simplifies the build process and paves the way for more efficient spacecraft construction. Embracing AR, NASA not only boosts efficiency and accuracy but also sets a new standard in space technology development, enhancing collaboration and precision. #EmergingTechnologies #Agna #SpaceTech Img: NASA

#AR intersecting with #Space is a “necessity” as the cost of failure is too high. With so many nations & private players in #Spacetech competing for mindshare & walletshare of those (nations & private cos) who don’t have the native infrastructure yet - surely no one (on both buy and sell side) wants to take the risk esp when even the physical prototyping missteps are quickly judged as poor designing & execution capability - drying up any potential funders or buyers. Whichever you look at it #Hardware is tough. But, at the same time it is necessary for advancement of our civilization. In my view following four leading indicators will play a crucial role in making Hardware plays investible : (1) Intersection of emerging technologies (like AI / AR / VR) (2) Comoditization of contract manufacturing & supply chain (3) Mobility & accessibility of resources (both talent & funding) (4) Protection of IP Foundation has been laid by Automotive, Industrial, FMCG etc around all four factors above. We are stepping into engineering renissiance! #emergingtech #hardware

Space is becoming more accessible by the day, and launch providers need better tools to simulate and optimise their rocket engines. INSTINCT aims to provide these tools to help launch providers drastically reduce both testing costs and development time. We are creating software to better simulate engine performance, optimise flow control, and train machine learning models—making getting to space easier and faster. Credits Music: Justyna Marianna Szynkarczyk RS-25 Test footage: NASA SSC Video Services Engine 3D Model: KUBAHA (https://lnkd.in/d-DntU2A)

Towards Autonomous Surface Missions on Ocean Worlds - NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration: Through advanced autonomy testbed programs, NASA is setting the groundwork for one of its top priorities—the search for signs of life and potentially habitable bodies in our solar system and beyond. The prime destinations for such exploration are bodies containing liquid water, such as Jupiter's moon Europa and Saturn's moon Enceladus. Initial missions to the surfaces of these "ocean worlds" will be robotic and require a high degree of onboard autonomy due to long Earth-communication lags and blackouts, harsh surface environments, and limited battery life. https://lnkd.in/esNXidCQ

🚀 NASA's Vintage Tech Just Won't Quit! The Interstellar Road Warrior That Outlasted Your Last 20 Phones Combined 🛸... Remember when things were built to last? While we're replacing our smartphones every two years, NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Voyager probe - launched when Star Wars first hit theaters - is still phoning home from an mind-blowing 15 BILLION miles away! Talk about exceeding the warranty period! This cosmic veteran has outlived the Space Shuttle program, witnessed the birth of SpaceX, and is still going strong while carrying humanity's message to the stars. Equipped with 1970s technology that has less computing power than your microwave, Voyager is teaching modern aerospace giants like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Blue Origin a masterclass in engineering excellence! ✨ Built in an era when Apollo's echoes were still fresh, this plucky probe carries the Golden Record - humanity's cosmic time capsule. It's our interstellar business card, complete with greetings in 55 languages, whale songs, and Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode." Who says NASA engineers don't have a sense of humor? 🎵 As private space companies race to Mars and beyond, Voyager quietly reminds us that sometimes the old school gets it right. It's still out there, still working, still making history - one radio signal at a time. And somewhere, perhaps, alien salvage operators are checking their tow hooks and marveling at Earth's engineering! 👽 ➡ Follow me for more news and insights on disruptive tech, innovation and the future 👨💻 [Cartoon (c) by Dave Granlund] #Space #NASA #SpaceExploration #Engineering #Voyager #SpaceTechnology #Aerospace #SpaceAge