NASA to send R2 droid robot co-developed with GM to space station

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Plants/Manufacturing, Technology, GM

General Motors R2 – Click above for high-res image gallery

If you’ve got an unnatural fear of human-like robots, it’s time to look away. It turns out that Chrysler isn’t the only manufacturer getting cozy with NASA these days. General Motors just announced its new robot co-developed with NASA will soon be shedding its earth-bound shackles to help on the international space station, in addition to its duties to here on our home planet. Called Robonaut 2, the 300-pound man-like machine is designed to be as physically similar to a human being as possible in order to allow the robot to share tools with astronauts.

The first R2 will be scooting up to low orbit aboard STS-133 this September, where it will undergo testing in zero-gravity. At this point, GM says the robot lacks the necessary protection to operate outside of the space station, but that over time, new models may eventually take dangerous space walks instead of humans. The company also hopes that the robot will be able to aid in exploration of our solar system.

Neither GM nor NASA is saying exactly how much an R2 costs, which is a shame. We could use an extra set of hands around the garage.

Given the recent cancellation of NASA’s Constellation program, we’re likely to see more partnerships between independent companies and the space exploration agency crop up in the near future. The Obama Aadministration is hoping that independent industry will step in to fill the void left by government funding, and in order for that to be successful, NASA is going to have to share its knowledge.

Gallery: General Motors Robonaut 2