NASA Looking to Use Purdue Robots on Moon, Mars

Filed in by on May 13, 2024 • views: 18

2024-05-13 22:20:44

As we humans expand our reach into space, robots may be doing a lot of the day-to-day work beyond earth’s orbit—tasks like turning screws and opening drawers. Extraterrestrial habitats are part of NASA’s roadmap toward the moon, Mars and beyond; and when these space stations are unmanned, robots will need to handle the maintenance.

With that in mind, a group of scientists are building a system to help robots identify the things around them and attach the tools they need to pick them up or manipulate them.

Researchers at Purdue University have been developing a machine-learning solution that can identify equipment such as a screwdriver, electrical panel or switch—and then manipulate each item with the proper tools.

The Purdue system uses a combination of computer vision, onboard machine learning and QR codes to help the robots conduct work, autonomously or with astronauts.  More info here.


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