NASA Robot Hand with Space Glove off "Omni-Hand"

This impressive early prototype is the first motorized dexterous robot hand. Designed and built in the early 1990s by Mark Rosheim. Only two were ever made. One of its unique features is the space suit glove custom fitted for this robot. This video features the Omni-Hand without the glove (see our other YOUTUBE video with the space suit glove on). This working robot is currently available for purchase on eBay by Seller "MechanicalWonderland"

ROBONAUT-NASA’s Telepresence Based Anthropomorphic Machine

NASA has always been developing assisted robots, but nothing like this. Robonaut is a Telepresence based anthropomorphic machine developed by NASA is considered a EVA (Extravehicular Activity) robot that is human shaped and will assist astronauts with space walks while performing duties that will decrease the work load, thus saving time for other tasks at hand. The Robonaut can also be remote controlled by Telepresence Video where a astronaut uses a set of goggles to control all movements of the robot from a distance.

Technology behind The Robonaut

What makes this robot differ from other NASA creations is that the robot has depth perception which goes a step beyond in robotics by increasing better functionality for important work that may need precision handling. Robonaut’s hands have opposables thumbs and have pressure sensors including in the fingers for sensitive equipment or for like screwing on a bolt to make sure its torque is not to tight possibly damaging life sustaining systems. The Robonaut has a human torso and a 4 wheeled vehicular body making it more stable and providing it the ability to do complex human like tasks. The Telepresence consists of a Helmet Mounted Display (HDM) Tactile Feedback Gloves and posture trackers essentially allowing the operator to control all aspects of the robonaut mimicking all movements the operator makes much like a puppeteer.

Mobility of the Robonaut

As a highly capable robotic system the ability to move around on a foreign surface is very important not to mention being able to house all control systems and handle payloads. Centaur is a version of the robot that contains a human like torso attached to an ATV styled body, this allowing enough room for all controls needed to keep the Robonaut operational and allowing for proper heat dissipation as well being able to carry small payloads.