Yes I realize the focus of GM-Volt is the Chevy Volt, but don’t forget half of this site’s name is GM.
Plus, this is just so cool is had to be shared.
GM has partnered with NASA to produce a next generation humanoid robot called Robonaut2 or R2 for short.
The robot has fully accentuated human-like hands, fingers, and arms and uses the most advanced sensors, actuators and vision systems to achieve its functionality.
It is designed to be capable of working side-by-side with humans in spaces, angles, and environments that would be either unsafe or impossible for people.
The robots will be used to perform both in the aeronautics and automotive industries.
“This cutting-edge robotics technology holds great promise, not only for NASA, but also for the nation,” said Doug Cooke, associate administrator for the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “I’m very excited about the new opportunities for human and robotic exploration these versatile robots provide across a wide range of applications.”
“For GM, this is about safer cars and safer plants,” said Alan Taub, GM’s vice president for global research and development. “When it comes to future vehicles, the advancements in controls, sensors and vision technology can be used to develop advanced vehicle safety systems. The partnership’s vision is to explore advanced robots working together in harmony with people, building better, higher quality vehicles in a safer, more competitive manufacturing environment.”
The robot doesn’t having any legs but there are rumors NASA is working on them.
There is also a big difference between R2 and Honda’s well-known Asimo robot.
“R2 can actually do work,” says GM spokesman Dan Flores. “Honda’s focus with Asimo is on a personal assistance and social support activities.”
Source (GM and NASA)
This entry was posted on Thursday, February 4th, 2010 at 4:03 pm and is filed under Research. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
+6
Feb 4th, 2010 (4:09 pm)Interesting. How far is it from robots and cars to cars that are robots?
+6
Feb 4th, 2010 (4:25 pm)And if they DO form unions then do we have Battlestar Galactica?
+2
Feb 4th, 2010 (4:25 pm)Our bailout money at work?
+4
Feb 4th, 2010 (4:35 pm)(RE: my #1)
BTW I don’t mean like “Transformers:”
Dave: “Open the garage door please, Car.
Car: “I’m afraid I can’t do that, Dave.”
The DOD’s Urban Challenge shows where future auto design could be headed: cars that decide on routes, judge traffic, and drive for themselves. Once auto-drive is practical, the insurance companies will insist on removing the steering wheel (lawsuits and enforcement will take place at much higher levels).
Perhaps the front seats will face rearward, instead!
As a human car driver, I can’t help but feel that this would be a bad thing. However, if it is inevitable, at least GM will have a distinct advantage in the field.
+12
Feb 4th, 2010 (4:38 pm)As long as they don’t violate the “3 Laws”, I’m cool with it.
+6
Feb 4th, 2010 (4:40 pm)Seems like the next step in auto mation.
+9
Feb 4th, 2010 (4:41 pm)1) When the light turns green, it goes.
2) When the light turns red, it stops.
3) When the driver turns white, it slows down.
+4
Feb 4th, 2010 (4:42 pm)Until they pry my ’57 Chevy from my cold dead fingers, it ain’t gonna happen on my farm!
+6
Feb 4th, 2010 (4:48 pm)Wouldn’t it be better if they just built a robot like this to ride shotgun with you in the ‘high occupancy vehicle lanes’ ?
+18
Feb 4th, 2010 (4:53 pm)Yours would come with a Cadillac; here’s what we’d get with a Chevy:
+1
Feb 4th, 2010 (4:55 pm)Although some of you might prefer this model:
Feb 4th, 2010 (5:02 pm)#8
Right on brother! And my 1917 Chevy too. +1
-1
Feb 4th, 2010 (5:03 pm)While very cool, the only ‘practical’ application for robots like this are tele-operated bomb disposal and space station ‘outdoors’ maintenance (at least for now the computer ‘smarts’ are nowhere near as advanced as the mechanics).
Unfortunately, software is still the weak link – as noted by the Prius drive-by-wire accelerator problem.
+4
Feb 4th, 2010 (5:05 pm)Ewwww.
See, this is why we can’t have nice things.
Feb 4th, 2010 (5:08 pm)#9
Didn’t we just have a big discussion here about a robot young lady developed for a slightly different purpose? Maybe she could do double duty.
By coincidence, there was a bit on the 10 PM news last night in LA about the CHP nabbing some guy with a VERY lifelike female mannequin riding shotgun in the carpool lane. To be honest, I dunno quite how they noticed that she wasn’t real. Either he needed a tad more window tint, or somebody dropped the dime.
If GM used this technology to develop a shotgun robot of the type you suggest, maybe it would be a good “dealer installed option” for you guys.
Feb 4th, 2010 (5:12 pm)#1
Given Toyota’s current problems, I think that robot cars have been set back a few years. I mean, if they can’t make a “throttle by wire” pedal that is reliable, do we really want whole cars driven without adult supervision? See also #13.
-1
Feb 4th, 2010 (5:15 pm)No. (See also #4)
Just peekin’ in my old ‘glass-half-empty’ crystal ball …
+11
Feb 4th, 2010 (5:24 pm)GM has released more details regarding robotic development:
+4
Feb 4th, 2010 (5:40 pm)As the robonaut becomes more advanced society will need to deal with a new set of issues. Current robots, such as fixed base automotive frame welder arms, function in a relatively small, fixed, movement specific work envelope. Making these arms easy to maintain and safe to work near.
With the development of robotic “legs” (movement out of the envelope) a long list of concerns appear. Inherent prior programming, intrinsic faults within the control system of the robot, errors in software, electromagnetic interference, unauthorized access, mechanical part failure, and faulty or unexpected operation. Does NASA receive OSHA inspections? Who is responsible for accidents? The programmer, manufacturer, remote system engineer, or envelope preparation technician?
Robots will become increasingly used in production applications. With the ultimate goal being a simple “ON” switch on Monday morning. And an “OFF” switch Friday afternoon. Forms of “robonaut” are already being used in medical procedure and war applications. We’re sure to see the industry of robot maintenance and repair become mainstream in technical schools. Best of luck to NASA and GM in their effort to literally expand the envelope.
=D~
+4
Feb 4th, 2010 (5:42 pm)If I can get that robot to drive my volt to work and teach my classes, I can stay home and tend chickens.
+3
Feb 4th, 2010 (5:43 pm)R2…. interesting name. I feel like I have heard that someplace before…
“shut down all the garbage smashers on the detention level!!!”
Someone at GM has a good sense of humor
Harrier1970
+4
Feb 4th, 2010 (5:44 pm)This photo looks like CPT Pike after his accident (forced out of Starfleet and into the corporate world apparently).
Either that or he is inside a giant Gillette razor that is set for stun
Feb 4th, 2010 (5:44 pm)NASA needs robots …. because after September they have no way to get humans to space.
Feb 4th, 2010 (5:46 pm)Luke must be off screen because I look at that picture (main article photo) and hear “together we can rule the Universe as father and son!”
+3
Feb 4th, 2010 (5:53 pm)Speaking of replacing labor, I wonder if they can be programmed to do neurosurgery?
-6
Feb 4th, 2010 (6:10 pm)I have always thought money spent on NASA was a waste, apparently though we were the world leader with no real competition, and now we are outsourcing everything for the next decade to Russia.
+2
Feb 4th, 2010 (6:28 pm)What happens when the robots start building … robots?
+2
Feb 4th, 2010 (6:31 pm)Actually I think they already use robotics for neurosurgery.
+17
Feb 4th, 2010 (6:37 pm)The money spent on NASA has never been a waste. The problem these days is that the ‘results’ that they achieve are no longer considered ‘newsworthy’. Which is really sad. We are all more concerned with earthly problems than we are with ‘exploration’.
+2
Feb 4th, 2010 (6:44 pm)A lot of robotic systems are mobile. Look at any smart car system. A really fun one to read about is the system at Amazon.
+1
Feb 4th, 2010 (6:46 pm)I know NASA is associated w/new technology, but it seems like GM would have partnered with ABB, Fanuc, Motoman..or any of the other major industrial robot companies that are used on all of their plants currently
-4
Feb 4th, 2010 (6:51 pm)Just a little to far off topic for my tastes, Next we’ll be reading about time machines and UFOs.
+2
Feb 4th, 2010 (6:59 pm)Blow up dolls unite against the fat cat robots !
If Robots choose to take drugs and live on the streets, should they be considered mentally ill and receive welfare payments and Obama care ? Will their Constitutional rights be violated if they’re barred from the NBA and NFL ? I wonder what the living Constitution will say about that ?
Feb 4th, 2010 (7:01 pm)You knew this was coming…
http://garfwod.250free.com/Hal_OpenThePodBayDoorPlease.mp3
=D~
+2
Feb 4th, 2010 (7:23 pm)We have nothing to fear from robotics.
Austin Powers knows how to deal with them if they get out of control.
Feb 4th, 2010 (7:45 pm)#28
I think it was Mort Sahl who did a routine about 50 years ago about the year 2010 (or so) when robots did everything, including firing other robots. A little tinny voice said:
“Machine, your work has not been going too well, and we are going to have to let you go.”
Some things just stick in your mind, I guess.
Feb 4th, 2010 (7:46 pm)#29
Yeah, but there’s adult supervision. Dr. Dennis, I believe.
+1
Feb 4th, 2010 (7:48 pm)#33
Cool. Bring it on, LOL.
+1
Feb 4th, 2010 (7:50 pm)Your bailout money is loan. Do not fret, you will get your money back!!
Feb 4th, 2010 (8:07 pm)I didn’t know that. I know they use them for prostate surgery with less than optimal results.
-2
Feb 4th, 2010 (8:09 pm)There’s a reasonable chance that the bankruptcy money will come back but I wouldn’t hold your breadth on the “kick the problem to the Obama Administration” money coming back. (That’s not a criticism of kicking it down the road given the timing, just an observation).
+1
Feb 4th, 2010 (8:44 pm)Here is something a little off subject (as if robots ARE on subject) :/
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/as_japan_toyota_prius;_ylt=AqwgwAG2QBBY.3Lk3WR.MyOs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTNsbzFjOXB2BGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwMjA1L2FzX2phcGFuX3RveW90YV9wcml1cwRjY29kZQNtb3N0cG9wdWxhcgRjcG9zAzEEcG9zAzIEcHQDaG9tZV9jb2tlBHNlYwN5bl90b3Bfc3RvcnkEc2xrA3JlcG9ydHRveW90YQ–
+1
Feb 4th, 2010 (8:54 pm)Commander Data, calling Commader Data…
(Caution, R rated) but FUNNY!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQOdjhEtd3E&feature=related
Feb 4th, 2010 (8:55 pm)But it would be an amazing thing for the disabled. And the elderly. Not to mention some of my friends who grew up in the city. Not everyone can drive.
+4
Feb 4th, 2010 (9:03 pm)43 comments and not a single one asking if the robot will be able to do the Volt Dance?
+10
Feb 4th, 2010 (9:04 pm)Nasa’s produced numerous spin off technologies that created whole new industries for the US. It has one of the largest GDP multipliers of any government spending. If we want to remain a competitive economy, we need to spend more money on basic science like NASA. Not less. It’s an investment in America’s future. Something we do much too little of.
Also, on a societal level, it unites us as a country, and gives us something to believe in. And, given how divided we’ve become, I think that’s worth every penny in and of itself.
+2
Feb 4th, 2010 (9:07 pm)As anyone by now knows, the media is saturated with negative Toyota news.
I believe this is unprecedented in the history of the automobile.
Here are just some of the bad headlines:
Toyota missteps give rivals a leg up
AutoNation CEO says Toyota needs to quickly find fix
Toyota recall extends to China
Ford halts Transit Classic production in China for gas pedals
GM makes bid for Toyota customers
Toyota dealers, customers wonder what happens next
Embattled Toyota supplier CTS also works with Honda, others
Toyota supplier CTS shipping new gas pedals
More on this topic
Howes: Toyota struggles to stop runaway crisis
LaHood: Toyota is ‘good corporate citizen’
NHTSA seeks detailed records from Toyota pedal maker
Toyota: Prius had brake design problems
Toyota posts $1.7B profit, raises annual forecast
Report: Toyota to recall Prius
U.S. officials probe deeper on Toyota recalls
LaHood says he misspoke when he told Toyota owners to stop driving
Toyota hit by Prius brake complaints
Toyota sales off 16% after recalls
Toyota’s reputation takes a costly hit
Feds weigh civil case over gas pedal recall
NHTSA considers imposing civil penalty over Toyota recalls
Toyota executive: Pedal fix too late to prevent backlash
Toyota denies ignoring warnings, reveals pedal fixes
Inaba to testify at Toyota hearing Feb. 10
Toyota defends handling of ‘very complex’ issue
Lentz says Toyota cars are safe on ‘Today’ show
Toyota to begin sticky pedal fix, restart production next week
Toyota hopes media blitz will reassure customers
U.S. raised Toyota gas pedal issue in ’07
Toyota to disclose solution to sticking pedals Monday
Toyota faces scrutiny on recall handling
Pedal complaints reach recalled Vibes
Consumer Reports suspends ‘recommended’ ratings on recalled Toyotas
Chrysler joins Hyundai in matching incentives for Toyota owners
Second House committee schedules hearing on Toyota recalls
Toyota to recall 8 models, up to 1.8M vehicles in Europe
Toyota finds fix for gas pedals; will alert customers next week
Ford posts $2.7B annual profit as Toyota struggles with quality
————————————————————————–
I believe Toyota is finished as a premier automobile company. It is now the perfect storm and they are being destroyed before our very eyes.
I also believe the following article helps to explain the LONG TERM problem with Toyota, and what is wrong with the whole culture of Japan in general.
http://www.uwsa.com/issues/trade/japanyes.html
+2
Feb 4th, 2010 (9:14 pm)Maybe the government is trying to create a US robotics industry? And diversify GM’s product base?
Feb 4th, 2010 (9:31 pm)The robotics industry is already well along without GM. For example, there is a company called Boston Dynamics that does amazing things with robotic locomotion. I am not sure if they have a corporate motto, but if they did it would be “Boston Dynamics! Ensuring your family’s inevitable demise at the hands of cyborg terminators!”
Here is their “Petman” human prototype: Check out its self-corrective balance at 0:20 in the video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OrKyC_BWlk&feature=related
And of course, for those of us who wonder what it would be like to be a bear hunted down in the forest by an unstoppable canine, there is always “BigDog”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHJJQ0zNNOM&feature=fvw
But maybe you are right. Maybe there is a portion of the government interested in applications for robots besides warfare. Hence, the NASA connection.
Feb 4th, 2010 (9:45 pm)I hope so. The robotics industry has enormous future potential. And it could provide jobs for the future. And possibly even exports.
Of course, the existing companies might figure out commercial applications for their research. And open a new division. But given the current state of globalization, that new division would probably be located in Shanghai.
+1
Feb 4th, 2010 (10:01 pm)3 questions.
1. Who owns NASA?
2. Who owns GM?
3. Why does the NASA/GM robot have its hand out?
Feb 4th, 2010 (10:11 pm)Why hire someone to flip the switch – just put it on a timer (lol)
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The ***VOLTS’* * * Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
+2
Feb 4th, 2010 (10:19 pm)Darn right, LauraM. I just got back from the Big Apple and let me tell you – not everyone CAN drive! Especially the ones with NJ plates.
Be well,
Tagamet
+4
Feb 4th, 2010 (10:22 pm)Amen! Restore the NASA budget!
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The ***VOLTS’ * * * Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
Feb 4th, 2010 (10:27 pm)OUCH! (g).
Granted there *is* human supervision, but that human doesn’t need to be physically present with the patient. Dr’s are performing surgery remotely.
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The ***VOLTS’ * * * Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
+6
Feb 4th, 2010 (10:30 pm)So true and so sad. Having grown up with the Apollo missions and the excitement of it all; I really miss it. Somewhere along the way America began to change and I’m not sure that we are better off for the change, we are certainly not better off for having foresaken NASA. I hope we find our way again.
Feb 4th, 2010 (10:38 pm)DITTO! I remember watching that “One small step for man….” I was in high school then, and there hasn’t been anything quite comparable since (but the first *landing* of the space shuttle was kinda neat too).
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The ***VOLTS’ * * * Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
+1
Feb 4th, 2010 (10:56 pm)The ‘change’ is the failure to admit mistakes. If the government would simply confess to making a bad call once in awhile. We The People would be more likely to take them seriously. Examples are the passing of law that may look good on paper but turn out to be abused and loss leaders. It’s okay to make a mistake at the cost of 10% or 20% of expected revenue. But to perform mouth-to-mouth on bad law. Year upon year is both reckless and irresponsible. The “dumb bomb” fix has been to simply start a new war. “This will get the factories churning again”.
Look at Brazil. This country used to be 80% energy dependent on foreign oil. With the use of sugar cane products and production of alcohol fuels. They have greatly lowered the gallon cost of liquid fuel. Gasoline being $3 and sugar ethanol being about $1.09 per gallon. All fuel stations are required to serve diesel, gasoline, and ethanol.
They were able to admit a mistake. And recover nicely. We have to give Uncle Sam praise for the $7500 tax credit on electric vehicles. Just hope the proposed reckless spending programs don’t place this in jeopardy.
=D~
+2
Feb 4th, 2010 (11:37 pm)Thanks for your level-headed comments and “vote of confidence”, Laura!!!
+7
Feb 4th, 2010 (11:56 pm)When I was a kid, NASA represented the highest level of American ingenuity (spelling?)… And in those days, the press would fight each other just to get an interview with an engineer or an astronaut. They’ve been driving RC dune buggys on Mars, for Christ’s sake! But the press could care less so it never gets reported. Which in turn leaves us watching crap on tv like American Idol. Gag.
-1
Feb 5th, 2010 (12:13 am)And still more Toyota news:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100205/ap_on_bi_ge/toyota_recall
Feb 5th, 2010 (12:31 am)It kind of looks like a Power Ranger. How do we know it’s not really a small Japanese martial artist under that mask? Hmmm… On second thought it kind of looks like a regular industrial robot that is wearing a Power Ranger outfit. Are we sure Bandai is not a sponsor of this? If our kids start asking for the action figures by next Christmas, then we’ll know.
Just kidding around, of course. I actually think it’s pretty cool.
(It DOES look like a Power Ranger, though)
Feb 5th, 2010 (1:29 am)I can see the headlines now….
NASA/GM “R2″ vs. Honda “Asimo”!
Feb 5th, 2010 (2:30 am)What reckless spending programs are you talking about? On second thought, don’t answer that question.
Happy trails to you ’til we meet again.
Feb 5th, 2010 (2:34 am)The prostate surgery robot is designed to do the surgery all but itself. But the patients have greater complications, especially incontinence. Lovely. Note that remote control and self directing robots are quite a bit different.
Speaking of remote control, and of course Carcus speaking of government waste, I’ll just note in passing that the Pentagon is spending billions on manned fighters. Why? Obviously an unmanned fighter will make short work of a manned one — it will be faster and more maneuverable — so why spend so much for so little? The old ways die hard I guess.
Feb 5th, 2010 (4:17 am)That’s commonly called “the singularity”….. a tipping point when machines gain the ability to reproduce themselves with an exponential rate of improvement, thereby eclipsing human intelligence and taking control of the world.
Still only a theory, …some say it will never happen, others say it is rapidly approaching.
That’s because all Volt fanatics (me included) secretly yearn to see those sexy Volt dancers doing their routine again. We don’t want no stinkin robots doing the Volt dance!
Feb 5th, 2010 (6:55 am)Maybe they will be reproducing Volts.
=D~
+1
Feb 5th, 2010 (7:32 am)It looks more like C3PO than R2,,,,,,
As far as NASA:
America used to have a “can do” attitude, and NASA represented that. If we set our minds to do something, it got done. Now everyone seems so afraid, and I believe that comes directly from our supposed leaders in Washington, DC. It is just so sad.
I look at the Volt as a step in the right direction. Finally, I see a group of people that decided to take a chance and do something that everyone said couldn’t be done!! Go GM! Go Volt Team!
NPNS
Feb 5th, 2010 (8:30 am)Yet another example of wasted tax payer money by a government agency and a once-private company now partially owned by the government. If the robot is supposed to work in areas too hazardous to humans, then why design the work area to require a human-like robotic body? Asimo is too expensive and impractical. So is this.
Feb 5th, 2010 (11:48 am)#44
Very cool. “He’s full of dilithium crystals”, LOL. +1
Feb 7th, 2010 (7:54 am)L8 again, I watch the Volt with the same intrest that I watched Apollo!
Feb 7th, 2010 (11:34 am)Sad to say but Azimov’s missive is fiction and can certainly be over ridden despite the best attempt to so construct such limitations on the robotic slaves. A friend who worked at IBM on artificial intelligence agreed with this. In their labs they ONCE had a poster of The Terminator but had to take it down as this gave off bad imagery to guests. LOL! No kidding!
The lads are barking and that cannot be good.
Regards! Higgins, Zeus & Apollo
PS: Computer tech has put a huge dent in the work I used to do in movies. On The Patriot THEY reproduced me and 30 of my men of the British Infantry to make it look as if there were thousands of us. This is done now with even greater finesse.
Feb 28th, 2010 (8:41 am)I can’t wait.