A Space Robot With Arms To Make R2D2 Jealous

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/11/science/space/11robo.html

“A Space Robot With Arms To Make R2D2 Jealous”

This article is about Dextre, a robot with arms that is used in space in order to limit the number of tasks that humans have to perform. This 3,400 pound, $1.4 billion dollar robotic system resembles a human, as it has hips, a torso, shoulders, an upper body and 2 arms. Dextre stands 12 feet tall and each of its multijointed arms can extend up to 11 feet. Dextre’s purpose is to perform human tasks that previously had required spacewalks. Researches predict that once operators get used to working with Dextre, it should eliminate anywhere from 6 to 12 spacewalks every year. Currently, Dextre roams the outside of the space station when commanded, doing jobs that humans had to do up this point.

I found this article interesting, because it shows that humans are increasingly relying on robots to push the limits of what we can do in space. Once more and more operators get used to controlling Dextre, the robot will perform even more tasks than ever thought possible, showing how robots are becoming the way of the future.