NASA Is Counting On Its Valkyrie Robot to Build A Mars Base

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and its pursuit of Mars will cross a milestone in 2020 with its Martian exploration program. The American space agency has been developing robots to be sent across to the unchartered mission since a couple of years now and is looking at its humanoid robot, Valkyrie to establish a base on the Red Planet.

 

A six-feet and two-inch semi-autonomous humanoid robot, Valkyrie was designed with an ultimate goal by NASA, to help humans colonize the Mars. The 300-pound robot has been prepped up with a number of space-based trials by NASA’s Space Robotics Challenge. The robot can use human tools and map its own path safely. It can freakily navigate well across rocky terrain, thanks to its hydraulic power.

At first sight, the Valkyrie is an Iron Man look-alike with a glowing circle on her chest marking her status. Inside the infrared-transparent faceplate, you will find a whirring LIDAR sensor that constantly scans the surroundings for objects and obstacles. The robot has dual brain - two Intel iCore i7 computers which make sense of the sensors’ input. Although Valkyrie was tested with a power cord in place, it can run on a battery pack lasting a good one hour.
  So basically, if you’ve ever watched the movie, The Martian, Valkyrie will pretty much recreate its plot, minus the part about growing potatoes.
There will be a host of cameras and sensor abound Valkyrie: a Multisense SL camera on her head which combines laser, 3D stereo and video, as well as extra ‘hazard cameras’ looking ahead and behind from her torso. The 38 sensors on each three-fingered hand maintain dexterity and control 44 degrees of freedom.
Space-based robots developed in the past like the Curiosity, Opportunity and Spirit have so far relied on wheels to move around. Replicating humans’ ability to walk is obviously, a robotics goal that has been nearly achieved with Valkyrie. Its about time that we see her replicas colonizing Mars and gauging the Martian environment for us, before we start living in space.

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