First, here is a little bit of background information about R2.
In initial operations, R2 will be confined to the stations Destiny laboratory. However, in the future he may be allowed to move more freely around the station's interior or outside the complex.
The dexterous robot not only looks like a human but also is designed to work like one. With human-like hands and arms, R2 is capable of using the same tools station crew members use. For now, R2 is still a prototype and does not have the adequate protection needed to exist outside the space station in the extreme temperatures of space, but in the future, he could act as an assistant or stand-in for astronauts during spacewalks or for tasks too difficult or dangerous for humans.
Testing the robot inside the station will provide an important intermediate environment because R2 will be subjected to the stations radiation and electromagnetic interference, as well as micro gravity. The interior operations will provide performance data about how a robot may work side-by-side with astronauts. As development activities progress on the ground, we can send hardware and software to the crew to install and update R2.
NASA and General Motors have come together to develop the next generation dexterous humanoid robot. The robots – called Robonaut2 – were designed to use the same tools as humans, which allows them to work safely side-by-side humans on Earth and in space. Credit: NASA.
Basically, we are in the midst of the most advanced dexterous robot on the planet...cool huh?
My project involved developing a program that would act as a redundant safety measure in the commanding of R2 once he begins operations on the International Space Station. R2 is entirely operated from Mission Control Center in Houston. My program is used on the ground by the operator as a safety check to make sure no potentially 'hazardous' commands are being sent to Robonaut. So, before each command is entered and sent to the ISS, it is first checked in the Command Check Tool and labeled as 'Hazardous', 'Non-Hazardous' or 'Invalid Command'. This tells the operator whether to continue or not, or course, he can only continue if the command is 'non-hazardous.'
During my internship, I not only got to work closely with the operator of R2 (since he was my mentor) but I got to learn the intricacies involved with his remote operation and all about Robonaut 2 himself. I also got to shake his hand :-D
First Time Meeting R2
My technical report was focused on the Operations side of Robonaut and included all the details of R2's software and hardware, the phases of Robonaut's operations on the International Space Station and proposed operations for the future, and also the Admin PC tool, which is how Robonaut is remotely controlled from inside Mission Control on the ground. My report wasn't published outside of NASA due to proprietary information, so I can't include it here, but it is going to be used in the Console Systems Manual (CSM) of Robonaut Operations to be used by the Robonaut Operators. If you have any questions regarding how Robonaut is controlled, his capabilities, or want to know some more cool facts...don't hesitate to ask!
For more information on Robonaut, check out his page at http://robonaut.jsc.nasa.gov/default.asp
