Humanoid robots being developed to assist astronauts in space
The German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence is developing a humanoid robot that will be able to assist astronauts in their daily tasks on the International Space Station (ISS). The AILA robot is taught how to perform certain tasks by observing how a human performs them. Once AILA has learned these tasks, astronauts can﻿ give the robot a task list to work through and complete each day﻿. The robot has two arms, complete﻿ with human-like﻿ fingers and it can﻿ move via a six-wheeled platform, ideal for navigating﻿ and working in﻿ the ISS. 

YouTube/ DFKI Video

German researchers are creating a humanoid robot designed to assist astronauts on the International Space Station.

Named AILA, the robot is designed to assist with not-so-complicated, day-to-day tasks so that astronauts can spend their time doing projects requiring more thought.

Like any new hire, AILA will first need to be taught how to perform assignments. After watching a human demonstrate a task, AILA will be able to perform the job herself.

Once she has learned a new skill, the astronauts can give her an action plan that she will complete in sequential order.

AILA is attached to a six-wheeled platform so that she can move and execute tasks efficiently.

She has two arms with fingers like a human hand because the ISS is built for humans. She is able to slightly rotate her head, arms, and torso.

The German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence is developing the robot alongside the University of Breman. The project is funded by the German Space Agency using federal funds from the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology.

Here's AILA completing an action plan to activate certain switches and then rotate a handwheel.

First, AILA begins by flipping the switches.

Then she finishes up by rotating the handwheel.

Watch the video for the full effect:

Think that's cool? Harvard's tiny robotic bee can do some pretty amazing things.