Mars Exploration News  
NASA To Show Intelligent Space Robots In Action At Ames 'Marscape'

The K9 rover robot manuevers through the outdoor 'Marscape' test yard. See more photos of the K9 rover robot.

Silicon Valley CA (SPX) Sep 28, 2005
NASA will showcase two intelligent robots on Monday, October 3, in the outdoor 'Marscape' at NASA Ames Research Center, located in California's Silicon Valley.

The two robots � 'K-9' and 'Gromit' � are smart enough to make decisions about how to achieve objectives on a planet or moon without detailed instructions from human beings. Researchers will also demonstrate 'mobile agent' software that may someday help robots and human beings on Earth, the moon and Mars communicate with each another.

"To efficiently explore the moon and Mars, flight crews will have to be much more self-reliant than before," said David Korsmeyer, chief of the Intelligent Systems Division at NASA Ames. "Development of such self-reliance requires machine intelligence, coupled tightly with human direction," Korsmeyer explained.

Eventually, robots may work together to prepare landing sites, habitats or resources on extraterrestrial sites, according to scientists. Robots and human beings will form teams on moons and planets to explore them, ventured Korsmeyer.

NASA Ames computer scientists are developing additional intelligent systems that can operate seamlessly with human ground and flight crews.

Not only will robots and computers be more self-sufficient because they will be able to plan ahead, but they will be able to work more efficiently and safely with their human crewmates � even enabling the flight crews to manage spacecraft health autonomously, reducing dependence on earth-based mission support staff, according to scientists.

"We are developing capabilities to allow humans and robots to operate competently and efficiently together in harsh, partially understood environments," said Alonso Vera of NASA Ames. "Candidate missions for robots include constructing lunar habitats, constructing large space structures, and performing science measurements for Earth or space science," Vera noted.

Robot-human communications 'mobile agent' software comes in several types, according to Bill Clancey of NASA Ames.

"The key thing is that the explorer will talk with the computer mobile agent software about science observations being made," said Clancey. "There are three specifics that the explorer relays to the agent � the name of the location, which sample bag the explorer is using to collect samples, and a narration of contents of the bag and the geologic context."

During future planetary exploration, this kind of data will be relayed by personal agent software to others on the science team, both on the planet's surface and back on Earth, according to Clancey. Information will be stored in a database in a Mars or planetary human habitat.

The personal agent software will send this data via e-mail to the Earth-bound science team. The software also automatically will transmit images taken by the astronauts to their planetary habitat and to Earth.

The robots and mobile agent research is funded by the Software, Intelligent Systems and Modeling Program, part of NASA's Exploration Systems Mission Directorate.

Community
Email This Article
Comment On This Article

Related Links
SpaceDaily
Search SpaceDaily
Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express
Mars News and Information at MarsDaily.com
Lunar Dreams and more



Memory Foam Mattress Review
Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily
XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News


Spirit Heading To 'Home Plate'
Pasadena CA (JPL) Jan 09, 2006
Last week Spirit completed robotic-arm work on "El Dorado." The rover used all three of its spectrometers plus the microscopic imager for readings over the New Year's weekend.









  • NASA plans to send new robot to Jupiter
  • Los Alamos Hopes To Lead New Era Of Nuclear Space Tranportion With Jovian Mission
  • Boeing Selects Leader for Nuclear Space Systems Program
  • Boeing-Led Team to Study Nuclear-Powered Space Systems

  • SMART-1 Set For More Lunar Science
  • Not Your Average Moonshot
  • Digging "Moon Dirt" Is NASA's Fifth Centennial Challenge
  • How We'll Get Back To The Moon

  • Mathematics Unites The Heavens And The Atom
  • NASA Facilities Weather Hurricane Rita
  • Voyager Finds Three Surprises Near Our Solar System's Edge
  • Marshall Space Flight Center Prepares to Implement Space Exploration Missions

  • NASA'S Pluto Space Probe Begins Launch Preparations
  • Santa et al
  • Hubble Makes Movie Of Neptune's Dynamic Atmosphere
  • Gemini Samples Spectrum Of 2003 UB313: Pluto-Like Surface

  • Computer Simulation Suggests Mechanisms The Drive Jovian Jet Streams
  • The Lure Of Europa
  • NASA Selects New Frontiers Mission Concept Study
  • Icy Jupiter Moon Throws A Curve Ball At Formation Theories



  • Saturn's Spongy Hyperion
  • Cassini's Close Look At Tethys
  • The Living Worlds Hypothesis
  • Titan's Keys

  • Space Test For Swiss-Designed Solar Antennas
  • Smart Concrete Could Improve Levees
  • Motorcyclists Keep Their Cool
  • Take A Virtual Tour Of ESRIN - ESA'S Centre In Italy

  • The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement