The future of robots -- deep space exploration

The development of robot has entered the stage of blowout , And the definition of robot is different , There is a certain degree of controversy .

Some people think that robots must be personified , That is, from the expression 、 The movement and form must be similar to people , This situation gave birth to a peak form of robot research , Humanoid robots . It includes DLR R & D David, Rollin Justin and TORO, Italy IIT R & D icub, Japan's Asimo and HRP-5 etc. . Different countries develop different humanoid robots for their specific purposes .

Humanoid robots

Others think , The automatic equipment that can automatically complete certain specific actions can be considered as robots . This kind of viewpoint mainly considers that robots are automatic equipment that can replace human beings to complete a certain kind of special repetitive work .

Sorting robots

But in the long run , The author believes that the development of robots will be separated from the earth , Go into space , Extend human arms and hands into the space environment . so to speak , Robot is an important extension of human beings . In a way , Robots will take human hands 、 Legs and ideology extend into the universe .

Low earth orbit detection

Planetary exploration

At present, space robots mainly include space manipulator and robot astronaut .

1 Space manipulator

The typical representative of space manipulator is the Canadian manipulator of the international space station Canadarm2.Canadarm2 This Canadian robot arm has helped in the following areas ： Perform space station maintenance 、 ship goods and materials , equipment , Even astronauts do it by grabbing the visiting module and docking it to the international space station “ Target capture ”.

International Space Station manipulator

Space station robotic arm

2 Robot astronauts

since 2012 Since then ,Robonaut The project has been on the international space station （ISS） Research on Robotics on . lately , By adding two climbing manipulators （“ leg ”）, More powerful processors and new sensors , The original humanoid robot has been upgraded . After upgrading ,Robonaut 2（R2） I have been practicing on the track , And the development of ground technology continues .Robonaut The team has been able to develop some technologies , These technologies will enable similar robots at Johnson Space Center to fully run the robot test bench in orbit . After reviewing these technologies in this way , Will be in ISS Of R2 Implement and test it on the unit . The aim of this work is to create a fully functional robot research platform on the international space station , To improve the technical preparation level of technology , This will contribute to future exploration missions .

Robot astronauts

Robot astronauts

R2 By NASA With general motors Oceaneering Space Systems Designed and developed with the assistance of engineers , To accelerate the development of next-generation robots and related technologies for the automotive and aerospace industries . R2 It is the most advanced highly dexterous humanoid robot . Its predecessor Robonaut 1（R1） equally ,R2 Be able to handle all kinds of EVA Tools and interfaces , but R2 It is a great progress of its predecessor . R2 The speed of R1 More than four times , More compact , More dexterous , And it has a deeper and wider sensing range . Advanced technology covers the whole R2 System , Include ： Optimized overlapping dual arm dexterous workspace , Series of flexible joint technology , Extended finger and thumb travel , miniature 6 Axle load cell , Redundant force sensing , Ultra high speed joint controller , Extreme neck stroke , And high-resolution cameras and infrared systems .

The above two types of machines are important carriers for earth orbit exploration . But the actual detection also needs to cooperate with other means of transportation and communication .

But another direction of deep space exploration for robots is the exploration of other stars , At this time, the robot needs to have the ability to log in to the external stars . The stars that have been logged in include the moon , Mars, etc . At this time, another star exploration robot with login and mobile function is required , Planetary rover .

3 Planetary rover

• Mars 2 Number , The Soviet union ,1971 year 11 month 27 The sun fell on Mars .
• Mars 3 Number , The Soviet union ,1971 year 12 month 2 Successfully logged in on , Worked for about 20 Seconds lost contact with the earth .
• The sojourner , The United States ,1997 year 7 month 4 Successfully logged in on .
• Spirit number , The United States ,2004 year 1 month 4 Successfully logged in on .
• Opportunity , The United States ,2004 year 1 month 25 Successfully logged in on .
• curiosity , The United States ,2012 year 8 month 6 Successfully logged in on .
• Perseverance , The United States ,2021 year 2 month 18 Successfully logged in on .
• Zhu Rong , China ,2021 year 5 month 15 The Japanese followed the tianwen-1 lander to land .

China's “ Tianwen 1 ” The Mars probe carried “ Zhu Rong ” The rover was launched in Beijing time 5 month 15 Japan 7 when 18 branch （ Greenwich mean time 5 month 14 Japan 23:18） Successful landing on Mars , This is China's first successful Mars landing mission , It also makes China the second country after the United States to successfully send a probe to Mars .

Tianwen 1