ATHLETE robot video
 

Here's an interesting video of the ATHLETE robot, designed by JPL for future lunar exploration. ATHLETE robots can work together (autonomously dock and un-dock) to permit supply and crew transfers, etc.

We wouldn't expect FIRST robots to have to work together autonomously, wouldn't we:p ????

Re: ATHLETE robot video
 

That machine is of the coolest, most simple, most usefull things i have ever seen.

I think it will be much more usefull on Mars then it is on the Moon, but the Moon is a good place for testing etc...

I just hope that Dave sees that one and gets inspired to tell about it to GDC =]

Could be awesome to have inter-robot communication in 2008!

Re: ATHLETE robot video
 

WOW!!!!!:yikes:


That's gotta' be the most coolest robot i've ever seen (on TV)!

It has all the aspects from various moon/mars robots and their abilities, combined.

The ultimate space robot up till now, I must admit. :)




Can I have one like this at home?:D

Re: ATHLETE robot video
 

We are well aware of it. I have been working with Brian Wilcox, the Principal Investigator for ATHLETE, for the better part of the past 20 years. Brian is one of the most creative and innovative robotics experts that I have ever met, and he never ceases to amaze us with the cool stuff he creates. He has been the creative force behind many JPL robotics projects, including the Sojourner Mars rover, the MUSES-C Nano-rover, the Remote Surface Inspection robot, the RAMS robotic surgery robot, the Robotic Percussive Drill, and many others.

No promises, but if there is some real interest in doing so, we may see if ATHLETE is available to bring to the 2008 Championship in Atlanta for everyone to see.

Heh heh heh. Oh, I don't know. I think the Robonaut and Spidernaut teams might argue with you on that one. But either way, as they say, "you ain't seen nothin' yet!" :)

-dave

Re: ATHLETE robot video
 

I still think the Athlete is more impressive than the Spidernaut is, and more planet-researching-enabled than the Robonaout is.

The fact the the Athletes can both walk and drive beats Spideranuts walking abbilty. It's 360 degrees view and walking path is awesome, and the way it can drill and change tools is pure geniousity(?). Only problem is i dont see how the tool in hand can be cahnged when the robot is already on a planet, far away from a human who can chane it. They might add there something that does it,or maybe even a sub-robot that does it ;)

Re: ATHLETE robot video
 

good point, I wouldn't think they would send it up there with the tools preattached. It would take up more space and be very uneffective. How would they attach them on the moon/mars?

Re: ATHLETE robot video
 

From my 3 years as an aerospace intern I *think* they would launch pre attached. Although I mostly worked with satelites (my boss worked on a 6 legged walker w/ JPL called AWIMR), they usually have everything preattached, but stowed and folded up.

^Please let me know if this assumption is wrong.

Besides, 6 tools is a lot.

Anyway, awesome machine. I love how they combined mechanisms to perform more functions with less mass and motors.

Re: ATHLETE robot video
 

I agree that Athlete can beat Spidernaut in a race any day, but I am assuming that their purposes are different and you'll be waiting for a while if you're waiting for a race. As for Robonaut, I think that it can do more specific types of research compared to ATHLETE. IMO ATHLETE is the jock of the NASA party and can do all of the cool impressive stuff, but leave all of the cool stuff up to the Nerds. My favorite bot from NASA is the LEMUR, and in a close second comes Robonaut and its Two-Face like possibilities for humans. I would also like to mention I would love to have take SCOUT out for a spin some time, what do ya think Dave? :D



For some more cool pics of random NASA robots you can check out the following link: http://robonaut.jsc.nasa.gov/desert06.htm
Pavan