NASA officials said scientists have gained inspiration from the space agency's Robonaut 2 to develop technology that can be used both in space and on Earth.
The robot first joined the International Space Station (ISS) in 2011, and was originally designed to do work outside the station so astronauts would not have to go on as many long and difficult spacewalks, according to Space.com. The robot features human-like arms and hands that can flip switches, grab objects and perform other simple tasks.
The first project inspired by Robonaut was the X1, an exoskeleton designed to help astronauts exercise and stay in shape while spending long periods of time in space. Its developers believed it could be used on Earth by paraplegics and stroke patients to help them move again.
X1 was created by NASA robotic engineers and researchers at the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition. The exoskeleton straps over the shoulders and back and covers the legs. It comes with motorized joints installed at the hips and knees that let the user take slow steps, Fox News reported.
Another machine inspired by Robonauts is Roboglove, designed to help grip force for astronauts while they repair and preserve the ISS' exterior.
"Due to pressurization of the suit, it's like squeezing a balloon every time you move your hand," said Lyndon Bridgwater, senior robotics engineer at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. "That causes extreme fatigue and even injury. We're looking at putting the hardware and actuator in the glove itself to provide muscle augmentation for the hand."
Scientists have also run tests at the Methodist Hospital in Houston to see different ways Robonaut could be used for telemedicine. The tests showed that the robot can guide a user's hand to stick a needle in a vein. The scientists believe the robot could help doctors perform medical procedures in space in the future. The astronauts would be supervised from doctors on Earth, Space.com reported.
"The robot could stabilize an injured individual or do nursing-level work, even on Earth," said Ron Diftler, project manager for Robonaut. "That essential transports a doctor's skill and presence to somewhere the doctor can't go or, in an emergency situation, where it would be dangerous for a person to go."
While Robonaut 2 was sent to the ISS without any legs, it received a pair in April. The legs were sent aboard Dragon, SpaceX's unmanned cargo.
