Valkyrie is ready to brave the dangers of outer space
The Valkyrie robot, developed by NASA, is in the final stage of testing and is preparing to become an indispensable assistant to astronauts during space missions. This robot is designed to perform tasks that are either too dangerous or not interesting enough for humans.
High risks faced by astronauts in space include radiation, debris in near-Earth space, and extreme temperatures. In response, NASA is developing humanoid robots, such as Valkyrie, that will work side by side with astronauts, protecting them from danger and allowing them to focus on more important aspects of missions. As a result, future space exploration will be more productive and less dangerous.
One of the key features of the Valkyrie robot — soft materials that are used in its development. This makes the robot more comfortable for others and gives it “anthropomorphic features” that allow it to interact better with people. «Our robots have a tactile interface and soft materials, which makes them more pleasant to interact with and gives them a natural appearance», — says Space Flight Center team leader, Nikolaus Radford.
However, robots like Valkyrie have a wide range of applications not only in space, but also in various branches of earthly life. They can perform tasks in manufacturing plants, assist with warehouse operations, and supply chain related tasks. Due to their flexibility and ability to adapt to different situations, they can work effectively in many areas where increased accuracy and safety are required.
NASA continues to actively develop and improve robots such as Valkyrie to ensure they are ready to perform challenging tasks in environments ranging from outer space to extreme environments on Earth. The goal of developing these robots is not to replace people, but to relieve them of routine, dangerous and monotonous work, allowing them to concentrate on higher-level activities.