Astronauts control robotic dogs from space.

The Surface Avatar project was launched in 2020 and is being run by the German Space Agency in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA). The project aims to develop technology that will allow astronauts to independently and simultaneously control multiple robots with high precision, or to operate them semi-autonomous or fully autonomously in the space environment. The hope is that when humans once again explore the surface of the Moon and begin exploring Mars, these robotic systems will be used to support those expeditions.

The dog-like robot Bert receives control assistance from an astronaut in space. (Photo: ESA/Andreas Mogensen/X).

Therefore, recently, Marcus Wandt, an astronaut on the International Space Station (ISS) of the European Space Agency (ESA), piloted Bert, a four-legged, dog-like robot, from space for the first time. Marcus Wandt conducted this experiment to test how time delays affect robot control during space missions.

During testing, Wandt was aboard the Columbus module of the International Space Station (ISS), and piloted the robot Bert, which was located in the Mars Laboratory at the German Space Agency's Oberpfaffenhofen facility. A series of tests showed that Wandt took control of three different robots, and he started with the robot Bert.

After taking control of Bert for a while, Wandt allowed the robot to explore autonomously in a simulated environment, while he also took control of the German Space Agency's wheeled humanoid service robot Rollin Justin, and the European Space Agency's Interact Rover.

Astronaut Marcus Wandt successfully tested controlling Bert, a four-legged, dog-like robot. (Photo: ESA/Andreas Mogensen/X).

The experiment, which involved multiple robots, lasted two and a half hours and was all successfully completed. The project director at the German Space Agency stated: “Enabling the Bert robot to operate on legs, instead of wheels, could allow the device to more easily climb hills or crawl into caves on Mars, or other extraterrestrial worlds .”

Another official from the German Space Agency noted that, until now, only wheeled robots have been remotely controlled by astronauts from space. But Bert has mastered several gait patterns and, thanks to its flexible leg movements, it can even explore rough terrain, including caves.

HUYNH DUNG (Source: Space/Europeanspaceflight)

Source: https://vtc.vn/phi-hanh-gia-dieu-khien-robot-cho-tu-khong-gian-ar850807.html