NASA and GM are sending world’s first humanoid into space

NASA and General Motors are collaborating to send a robot to the International Space Station to aid the human astronauts who reside there.  Sure we’ve sent robots into space before; you’ve heard of the Mars Rover, right?  This is different.  Robonaut 2, nicknamed R2, is preparing to become the first humanoid robot to enter space.  It’s got arms, legs, a body, and head.  R2 looks like one of us.  So what’s it going to do up there?  According to The New York Times, it “will be monitored in space to see how it performs in weightlessness, but NASA hopes to eventually use R2 to assist astronauts during space walks and to work alongside engineers in the space station.”  R2 is scheduled to leave for space via the Space Shuttle Discovery in September.  To infinity and beyond, I say!  Look after the break for a video that takes you behind the construction of R2.

[Via NYT; Engadget]

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