NASA to Launch Human-Like Robot to Join Space Station Crew 0

NASA will launch the first human-like robot to space later this year to become a permanent resident of the International Space Station. Robonaut 2, or R2, was developed jointly by NASA and General Motors under a cooperative agreement to develop a robotic assistant that can work alongside humans, whether they are astronauts in space or workers at GM manufacturing plants on Earth.

The 300-pound R2 consists of a head and a torso with two arms and two hands. R2 will launch on space shuttle Discovery as part of the STS-133 mission planned for September. Once aboard the station, engineers will monitor how the robot operates in weightlessness.

R2 will be confined to operations in the station's Destiny laboratory. However, future enhancements and modifications may allow it to move more freely around the station's interior or outside the complex.

"This project exemplifies the promise that a future generation of robots can have both in space and on Earth, not as replacements for humans but as companions that can carry out key supporting roles," said John Olson, director of NASA's Exploration Systems Integration Office at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "The combined potential of humans and robots is a perfect example of the sum equaling more than the parts. It will allow us to go farther and achieve more than we can probably even imagine today."

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 able to use the same tools station crew members use. In the future, the greatest benefits of humanoid robots in space may be as assistants or stand-in for astronauts during spacewalks or for tasks too difficult or dangerous for humans. For now, R2 is still a prototype and does not have adequate protection needed to exist outside the space station in the extreme temperatures of space.

Testing the robot inside the station will provide an important intermediate environment. R2 will be tested in microgravity and subjected to the station's radiation and electromagnetic interference environments. 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, station crews may be provided hardware and software to update R2 to enable it to do new tasks.

R2 is undergoing extensive testing in preparation for its flight. Vibration, vacuum and radiation testing along with other procedures being conducted on R2 also benefit the team at GM. The automaker plans to use technologies from R2 in future advanced vehicle safety systems and manufacturing plant applications.

"The extreme levels of testing R2 has undergone as it prepares to venture to the International Space Station are on par with the validation our vehicles and components go through on the path to production," said Alan Taub, vice president of GM's global research and development. "The work done by GM and NASA engineers also will help us validate manufacturing technologies that will improve the health and safety of our GM team members at our manufacturing plants throughout the world. Partnerships between organizations such as GM and NASA help ensure space exploration, road travel and manufacturing can become even safer in the future." 

NASA, GM Take Giant Leap in Robotic Technology 0

Robonaut is evolving.

NASA and General Motors are working together to accelerate development of the next generation of robots and related technologies for use in the automotive and aerospace industries.

Engineers and scientists from NASA and GM worked together through a Space Act Agreement at the agency's Johnson Space Center in Houston to build a new humanoid robot capable of working side by side with people. Using leading edge control, sensor and vision technologies, future robots could assist astronauts during hazardous space missions and help GM build safer cars and plants.

The two organizations, with the help of engineers from Oceaneering Space Systems of Houston, developed and built the next iteration of Robonaut. Robonaut 2, or R2, is a faster, more dexterous and more technologically advanced robot. This new generation robot can use its hands to do work beyond the scope of prior humanoid machines. R2 can work safely alongside people, a necessity both on Earth and in space.

"This cutting-edge robotics technology holds great promise, not only for NASA, but also for the nation," said Doug Cooke, associate administrator for the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "I'm very excited about the new opportunities for human and robotic exploration these versatile robots provide across a wide range of applications."


"For GM, this is about safer cars and safer plants," said Alan Taub, GM's vice president for global research and development. "When it comes to future vehicles, the advancements in controls, sensors and vision technology can be used to develop advanced vehicle safety systems. The partnership's vision is to explore advanced robots working together in harmony with people, building better, higher quality vehicles in a safer, more competitive manufacturing environment."

The idea of using dexterous, human-like robots capable of using their hands to do intricate work is not new to the aerospace industry. The original Robonaut, a humanoid robot designed for space travel, was built by the software, robotics and simulation division at Johnson in a collaborative effort with the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency 10 years ago. During the past decade, NASA gained significant expertise in building robotic technologies for space applications. These capabilities will help NASA launch a bold new era of space exploration.

"Our challenge today is to build machines that can help humans work and explore in space," said Mike Coats, Johnson's center director. "Working side by side with humans, or going where the risks are too great for people, machines like Robonaut will expand our capability for construction and discovery."

NASA and GM have a long, rich history of partnering on key technologies, starting in the 1960s with the development of the navigation systems for the Apollo missions. GM also played a vital role in the development of the Lunar Rover Vehicle, the first vehicle to be used on the moon. 

Next-Generation Porsche 911 0

Porsche is soon to launch its next-generation 911 and as can be seen by these latest spy shots, prototypes for the car appear to be almost complete. 


Shown in the least camouflage and from the closest distance yet, the new 911 looks to be just as its predecessors have been: a variation on the classic theme with some modern tweaks. But just as the continuity of looks in previous cars have masked major mechanical changes, so too will the next-gen 911. 

These latest shots show the car again almost completely undisguised, and for the first time in colors other than black: yellow and blue. 

Earlier came a video of the car also nearly undisguised. We first started seeing test-mules for the 2012 Porsche 911 back in 2008 and soon after, Porsche's former chief of research and development, Wolfgang Dürheimer, revealed some details of what to expect for the new car. 


“It will be even more competent, even sexier, even more unique,” Dürheimer said. “The design can of course only be evolutionary, but beneath the skin, almost anything is possible" 

The 2012 Porsche 911, known internally as 'project 991', will feature a few radical departures from the 911's long-running classic styling. 

The changes are out of necessity more than anything, but they will be noticeable. Pedestrian protection rules in Europe will require a change to the nose section of the car, likely meaning a larger and more collapsible bumper section. The rear of the car will also be changed, but for aerodynamic improvement.

Clear differences between the new model and the current 997 are the more upright headlights, a slightly longer body and side mirrors that are now positioned at the side of the doors and not at the window.


Other new features will include extensive use of lightweight carbon-fiber materials and active aerodynamics, surfaces that react to what the car is doing and how fast it's doing it. Expect adjustable front and rear spoilers, dynamically opening and closing air intakes, and an automatic rear wing.

Reports coming out of Germany claim power in the base Carrera will stand at 345 horsepower from a 3.4-liter boxer engine, downsized 200ccs from the current engine. Step up to the Carrera S, and you’re expected to get a bigger 3.8-liter engine and 395 horsepower.

Future of robots 0

Futuristic Shavit Electric Superbike Features Adjustable Riding Position System 0

Shavit electric superbike is a final graduation project of an industrial designer from Shenkar college of design and engineering in Israel. The objective of his project is to design the ultimate everyday sportbike. This electric superbike has been designed with unique adjustable riding position system. This superbike can be transformed from multipurpose bike to superbike during the ride smoothly, adaptable to any situation. As you can see the changes are also applied to the handlebars, footpegs, and seat height. This superbikecan transform from multipurpose bike to superbike in minutes. The power is within its rider.

This industrial designer has done extremely well in exploring new possibilities when it comes to create a sharp and aggressive superbike icon that would captivate any superbike riders’ heart.

Designer : Eyal Melnick

LEAF Self-Generating Water Resource by Anurag Sarda 0

In developing countries, millions of people still have inadequate access to drinking water and usually have to use sources such as streams and lakes which are polluted with dangerous parasites, toxins, or suspended solids. LEAF Self-Generating Water Resource produces drinking water way better than the one from those contaminated sources.

LEAF is inspired by nature where natural leaf produces dew drops on itself. For dew to form, it is artificially generated through its condensation point. This unit utilizes solar energy to generate electricity which helps in cooling the metallic surface on the top of the unit. An electrical circuit monitors the temperature and other things needed in order to cool the air. When dew is formed on LEAF surface, it gets collected through the slope surface into the earthen pot. This process happens during night time where the temperature is low and there’s only little movement in the air, otherwise the air will form fog instead.

The water is then purified through filter and layer of sands. Finally at the bottom we’ll have fully drinkable water. This unit is low maintenance; all we need to do is to clean the filter from time to time. LEAF Self-Generating Water Resource is 18-feet tall and collects an average of 20-liters of water in 24 hours.

Designer : Anurag Sarda

Top 10 Cool Gadgets From Future 0

1. Rubber Mobile

It has a plain surface shape with very tiny width like a candy bar. It got the beautiful keypad and impressive4 MP camera.

2. Optimus Retardus (A Touch Keyboard)

Having extruded form, its a touch keyboard concept. although It is not yet released but the musicians, artists and video editors already love the design and concept. It contains LCD tablet displays.

3. Costume Samsung for Women

It has been designed like wise a make-up compact. Which is made for women and can be carried in a purse.

4. Curved iMac Concept

Its best feature is the curved screen. Its also not yet introduced in market but will be launched very soon.

5. F1/Carbon GMT Concept Watch

Its amazing and delicate gadget, made up of carbon fiber body, Swarovski crystals, rubber and metal placed in this timepiece. It features 18 identical rubies as it shows the time on 2008 F1 circuit. Also has lap timer function and stopwatch.

6. Canvas by Kyle Cherry

It is known as “Canvas”, specially designed by Kyle Cherry to improve the quality and productivity of the designer.

7. E-Paper Slap Bracelet

You have watched many slap bracelets made up of aluminum wrapped in fabric. Utilizing similar idea theChocolate Agency introduced a multimedia gadget looks like bracelet, its surface is an E-Paper having a high contrast and power professional characteristic.

8. Atlas Kinetic Cell phone

An amazing combination of aluminum and glass, this cell phone works on kinetic energy function. The cell phone obtains power from kinetic energy.

9. Eizo C T-One (Mouse + Remote Control)

This amazing wireless mouse also acts like a T.V. remote. This is a gift for those people who love to work on laptop in front of television and they use different controller for both devices. This wireless mouse can work like TV remote to change channel, volume up/down, broadcasting functions etc. it contains range of concerning 10 meters.

10. Tiny USB Webcam

As per your choice, you can use a small model web camera. Its a small USB cam which contains awesome characteristics. Its an plug & play device, can be used for video conferencing, clip mount for a notebook, autofocus supportable to MAC.

iCloud: Where are the web apps? 0

iCloud looks like a great service, but one element was conspicuously absent from the presentation: web apps for (in particular) mail… Apple’s presentation aptly filled most of the current holes in how you keep your devices in sync, but what happens when you need information on a device that isn’t your own?

There are two possibilities:
1. Apple doesn’t think we need web apps and, that developers will fill the holes on (for example) Windows.

2. But it seems more likely that there will be some form of web mail, some kind of access to iCloud on the web…

If there is then no one currently know what this looks like, how it works and more to the point, if it’s any good.

Will there be access to your music library and photo stream in the browser? How will documents in the cloud (which seem to be tied to specific apps) work with a web interface, will you be able to access documents in this way?

I guess we’ll find out soon.