Robotic Surrogate

NASA has requested a robotic surrogate to work autonomously or to work alongside astronauts, for tool retrieval, space station construction, satellite maintenance and interplanetary habitat preparation for astronaut base camps. Human sizing, flexibility and fault tolerance are key needs that must be addressed. Proposed is a ten-axis robotic surrogate that is both highly dexterous and scaled to human proportions. Innovations include the development of an impact resistant elastomer composite shoulder that has the range of motion and flexibility of the human shoulder. Utilizing redundant actuators, it is fault tolerant and rugged. A new elbow design which is compact and lightweight is presented. Commercial applications are numerous and include prosthetics, animatronic figures, and sales to research laboratories. The Phase I deliverable will be one robotic surrogate with a base control system, and a final report. The report will include a complete print package of working drawings, and computer simulation and analysis data.