A Perspective on the Development of Intelligent Robots for Manipulation in Space

NASA has had a long involvement with robot systems for the exploration of space. From space probes to soil samplers to the Shuttle Remote Manipulator, robotic devices have proven themselves useful in many different tasks. Robotic devices are characterized by the ability to be reprogrammed, to change their operation through commands generated locally or remotely. The future exploration and exploitation of space will the current generation of robots as well as future intelligent robots. Intelligent robots in space include a wide variety of machines and devices which have a much higher range of capabilities than those used today. These robots will have the capability not only to be reprogrammed, but to reprogram themselves. The robots have the means to plan and schedule tasks independently, if necessary, and to execute these tasks. Intelligent robotic systems have their uses in all phases of the space effort. This includes intelligent probes used to gather information, intelligent exploration vehicles for planetary surfaces, and intelligent manipulators for operations in-orbit and beyond.