Outer space is unfriendly to humans. Astronauts can only exist in a contained environment with its own air supply, so that means working in very close quarters. Zero gravity means things do not stay where you put them. Despite these constraints, astronauts on the International Space Station must be highly productive on a very tight time schedule.
IBM and Airbus designed the first cyborg-companion for the ISS last year only for CIMON to refuse following instructions and even accuse crew members of being “mean”.
If required, it can switch from being a scientific assistant to an empathetic conversation partner
Matthias Biniok, IBM project lead
Now, following a reboot, a second version of the floating basketball-sized robot has just returned to the orbiting space station.
And programmers have this time promised a more friendly, conversational version, capable of analysing the astronauts’ emotions and acting in an appropriate manner.
Matthias Biniok, IBM project lead, said: “If required, it can switch from being a scientific assistant to an empathetic conversation partner.”
CIMON-2 was designed by Airbus and used IBM’s artificially intelligent Watson technology.
Like its predecessor, CIMON-2 will float around the Columbus European research module and, unless it antagonises astronauts, will remain on board the ISS for three years.
When German astronaut Alexander Gerst tested the initial iteration of the robot out last year, CIMON refused to switch off a song, and told Gerst “Be nice please” when he repeated the request.
When Gerst replied: “I am nice!” CIMON said: “Don’t be so mean please.”
DON’T MISS
TESS satellite presents stunning new southern sky mosaic [VIDEO]
Life discovered deep underground points to ‘subterranean Galapagos’ [INTERVIEW]
Shadow land: ‘Alien life can exist in 2D universe’ [INTERVIEW]
READ MORE
-
Was Darwin wrong? New evolution theory ’can help find alien life’
The new robot assistant can show and explain information and instructions for scientific experiments and repairs, allowing astronauts to keep their hands free.
CIMON is also a mobile camera, saving ISS crew time and can perform routine tasks, such as documenting experiments, searching for objects and taking inventory.
Twelve internal rotors allow CIMON to move and rotate freely in all directions, meaning th robot can turn towards the astronaut when addressed, nod and shake its head, and follow the astronaut – either autonomously or on command.
CIMON-2 has ultrasound sensors that allow it to navigate without colliding with things.
And the robot even has a loudspeaker allowing it to speak and play music.
Till Eisenberg, Project Manager at Airbus, said: “CIMON-2 is expected to remain on the ISS and support the crew for up to three years.
“CIMON-2’s microphones are more sensitive, and it has a more advanced sense of direction.
“Its AI capabilities and the stability of its complex software applications have also been significantly improved.”
The hope is that robot companions will eventually be deployed to assist crews on lengthy journeys as well as providing assistance in remote regions on Earth.
Christian Karrasch, the project manager for DLR Space Administration, which implements Germany’s space programme, added: “When travelling to the Moon or Mars, the crew would then be able to rely on an AI-based assistance service, even without a permanent data link to Earth.
“One application back on Earth could be to support people with complex tasks in areas with poor infrastructure, for example.”
Source: Read Full Article