Humanoid robot to communicate between crew at ISS

547

PARIS: A team of French researchers has developed “an autobiographical memory” for the only robot on the International Space Station (ISS) which will help the robot liaise between the astronauts that change every six months in order to pass on information.

In order for a robot to understand cooperative behavior, researchers developed a system whereby a human agent can teach their new “Nao” robot new actions through physical demonstration, visual imitation or voice command.

“This technological progress could notably be used for operations on the orbiting laboratory,” said senior researcher Peter Ford Dominey from the Institut cellule souche et cerveau.

Researchers set up this autobiographical memory system to meet the challenge of cooperation between humans and robots, with the humanoid “Robonaut 2” which is now permanently flying aboard the ISS.

Autobiographical memory includes events that were personally experienced, along with their context. It makes it possible to date and locate memories, and to determine who was present during the event.