Battery life is an issue for many types of robots. But it is especially challenging for robots operating in outer space. A new initiative under NASA’s “Tipping Point” program hopes to solve this and make smaller robots available for missions that weren’t within reach before, including night missions on the moon. NASA awarded a $5.8…
Space exploration, robot partners require new algorithms for safety, says IEEE Fellow
Panagiotis Tsiotras, an IEEE Fellow and Georgia Tech professor, describes some of his research into improving autonomy on the ground and in space and why it’s an exciting time to be a robotics student.
Lunar Delivery Challenge launched by NASA, HeroX to crowdsource logistics robots
HeroX has announced the NASA Lunar Delivery Challenge, a crowdsourcing competition seeking a way to develop automated logistics for delivery of supplies to the moon.
Lunar exploration challenge for mini robot payloads enters a second phase
In the “Honey, I Shrunk the NASA Payload, The Sequel” challenge, HeroX and NASA are looking for community support for 14 existing teams developing miniature payloads for lunar exploration robots.
Ingenuity Mars Helicopter reaches milestone in space
NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter recharged its batteries for the first time in space by using the Perseverance Rover’s power supply.
Perseverance Rover and helicopter take maxon brushless motors to Mars
The mission includes precision motors from maxon for a robotic arm for handling samples and a novel helicopter.
Podcast: Re-skilling coal miners; Jibo returns; Perseverance Rover heading to Mars
Episode 9 of The Robot Report Podcast talks re-skilling coal miners, the Perseverance Rover heads to Mars and Jibo returns.
Force/torque sensor developed by ATI, NASA ready for launch of Mars 2020 Rover
ATI developed a space-rated force/torque sensor for the Perseverance Rover, which will explore the Martian surface.
Podcast: first-half 2020 highlights; space robotics expert Chris Thayer
Welcome to episode 5 of The Robot Report Podcast, which brings conversations with robotics innovators straight to you. Join us every Wednesday for discussions with leading roboticists, innovative robotics companies, and other key members of the robotics community. Listeners can subscribe to The Robot Report Podcast on Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, Spotify, Google Play and YouTube. Please…
Robotic rover uses ‘rear rotor pedaling’ to avoid sand traps
Researchers at Georgia Tech have combined limbs that can move up and down with loose wheels for innovative gaits to help propel a NASA rover that could conduct exploration in the sandy hills of the moon or Mars.
HeroX and NASA call for crowdsourced design of miniaturized lunar exploration
HeroX and NASA are looking for crowdsourced proposals for miniature payloads to be launched with micro rovers to explore Earth’s moon in advance of a human return.
AV&R execs reflect on 25 years of automated visual inspection
Montreal-based AV&R recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. Company executives briefly discuss how their company serves aircraft manufacturing with automated vision and robotics.
Skybot humanoid robot grounded after Russian space flight
Russia’s Skybot F-850 robot highlighted the ambitions and shortcomings around humanoid robots in space and for other applications.
Aerospace assembly uses vision-guided Kawasaki robots for unique cell
Kawasaki’s R-series general purpose robots, in combination with 3D vision software, are helping an aerospace manufacturer increase product quality and throughput.