(This technology is of use on any planetary body. I think we all would be most interested in the images at the AMES Site especially the analog suits and helmets they are wearing. --CV)
John Bluck              Sept. 26, 2005
NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif.
Phone: 650/604-5026 or 604-9000
E-mail: jbluck@mail.arc.nasa.gov
Release: 05-48AR
MEDIA ADVISORY: You are invited to the outdoor 'Marscape' at NASA
Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif., Monday, Oct. 3, from 11
a.m. to 2 p.m. PDT to view prototype space robots in action.
Reporters will be able to interview NASA researchers about the
artificial intelligence that may some day help robots and human
beings on Earth and Mars work together. To reach Ames, take the
Moffett Field exit from Highway 101, drive east to the main gate and
the visitor badging office to obtain a map and directions to the
event. To reach the 'Marscape,' follow R.T. Jones Road northwest to
Gate 17. Immediately after you go through the gate, you will see the
Marscape on the right. U.S. media representatives must have valid
government-issued picture ID in order to enter Ames. (A driver's
license or a U.S. passport will do.)
NASA TO SHOW INTELLIGENT SPACE ROBOTS IN ACTION AT AMES 'MARSCAPE'
NASA will showcase two intelligent robots on Monday, October 3, in
the outdoor 'Marscape' at NASA Ames Research Center, located in
California's Silicon Valley.
The two robots - 'K-9' and 'Gromit' - are smart enough to make
decisions about how to achieve objectives on a planet or moon without
detailed instructions from human beings. Researchers will also
demonstrate 'mobile agent' software that may someday help robots and
human beings on Earth, the moon and Mars communicate with each
another.
"To efficiently explore the moon and Mars, flight crews will have to
be much more self-reliant than before," said David Korsmeyer, chief
of the Intelligent Systems Division at NASA Ames. "Development of
such self-reliance requires machine intelligence, coupled tightly
with human direction," Korsmeyer explained.
Eventually, robots may work together to prepare landing sites,
habitats or resources on extraterrestrial sites, according to
scientists. Robots and human beings will form teams on moons and
planets to explore them, ventured Korsmeyer.
NASA Ames computer scientists are developing additional intelligent
systems that can operate seamlessly with human ground and flight
crews. Not only will robots and computers be more self-sufficient
because they will be able to plan ahead, but they will be able to
work more efficiently and safely with their human crewmates - even
enabling the flight crews to manage spacecraft health autonomously,
reducing dependence on earth-based mission support staff, according
to scientists.
"We are developing capabilities to allow humans and robots to operate
competently and efficiently together in harsh, partially understood
environments," said Alonso Vera of NASA Ames. "Candidate missions for
robots include constructing lunar habitats, constructing large space
structures, and performing science measurements for Earth or space
science," Vera noted.
Robot-human communications 'mobile agent' software comes in several
types, according to Bill Clancey of NASA Ames. "The key thing is that
the explorer will talk with the computer mobile agent software about
science observations being made," said Clancey. "There are three
specifics that the explorer relays to the agent - the name of the
location, which sample bag the explorer is using to collect samples,
and a narration of contents of the bag and the geologic context."
During future planetary exploration, this kind of data will be
relayed by personal agent software to others on the science team,
both on the planet's surface and back on Earth, according to Clancey.
Information will be stored in a database in a Mars or planetary human
habitat. The personal agent software will send this data via e-mail
to the Earth-bound science team. The software also automatically will
transmit images taken by the astronauts to their planetary habitat
and to Earth.
The robots and mobile agent research is funded by the Software,
Intelligent Systems and Modeling Program, part of NASA's Exploration
Systems Mission Directorate.
Publication-size images are available on the World Wide Web at:
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/multimedia/images/2005/K9.html
John Bluck              Sept. 26, 2005
NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif.
Phone: 650/604-5026 or 604-9000
E-mail: jbluck@mail.arc.nasa.gov
Release: 05-48AR
MEDIA ADVISORY: You are invited to the outdoor 'Marscape' at NASA
Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif., Monday, Oct. 3, from 11
a.m. to 2 p.m. PDT to view prototype space robots in action.
Reporters will be able to interview NASA researchers about the
artificial intelligence that may some day help robots and human
beings on Earth and Mars work together. To reach Ames, take the
Moffett Field exit from Highway 101, drive east to the main gate and
the visitor badging office to obtain a map and directions to the
event. To reach the 'Marscape,' follow R.T. Jones Road northwest to
Gate 17. Immediately after you go through the gate, you will see the
Marscape on the right. U.S. media representatives must have valid
government-issued picture ID in order to enter Ames. (A driver's
license or a U.S. passport will do.)
NASA TO SHOW INTELLIGENT SPACE ROBOTS IN ACTION AT AMES 'MARSCAPE'
NASA will showcase two intelligent robots on Monday, October 3, in
the outdoor 'Marscape' at NASA Ames Research Center, located in
California's Silicon Valley.
The two robots - 'K-9' and 'Gromit' - are smart enough to make
decisions about how to achieve objectives on a planet or moon without
detailed instructions from human beings. Researchers will also
demonstrate 'mobile agent' software that may someday help robots and
human beings on Earth, the moon and Mars communicate with each
another.
"To efficiently explore the moon and Mars, flight crews will have to
be much more self-reliant than before," said David Korsmeyer, chief
of the Intelligent Systems Division at NASA Ames. "Development of
such self-reliance requires machine intelligence, coupled tightly
with human direction," Korsmeyer explained.
Eventually, robots may work together to prepare landing sites,
habitats or resources on extraterrestrial sites, according to
scientists. Robots and human beings will form teams on moons and
planets to explore them, ventured Korsmeyer.
NASA Ames computer scientists are developing additional intelligent
systems that can operate seamlessly with human ground and flight
crews. Not only will robots and computers be more self-sufficient
because they will be able to plan ahead, but they will be able to
work more efficiently and safely with their human crewmates - even
enabling the flight crews to manage spacecraft health autonomously,
reducing dependence on earth-based mission support staff, according
to scientists.
"We are developing capabilities to allow humans and robots to operate
competently and efficiently together in harsh, partially understood
environments," said Alonso Vera of NASA Ames. "Candidate missions for
robots include constructing lunar habitats, constructing large space
structures, and performing science measurements for Earth or space
science," Vera noted.
Robot-human communications 'mobile agent' software comes in several
types, according to Bill Clancey of NASA Ames. "The key thing is that
the explorer will talk with the computer mobile agent software about
science observations being made," said Clancey. "There are three
specifics that the explorer relays to the agent - the name of the
location, which sample bag the explorer is using to collect samples,
and a narration of contents of the bag and the geologic context."
During future planetary exploration, this kind of data will be
relayed by personal agent software to others on the science team,
both on the planet's surface and back on Earth, according to Clancey.
Information will be stored in a database in a Mars or planetary human
habitat. The personal agent software will send this data via e-mail
to the Earth-bound science team. The software also automatically will
transmit images taken by the astronauts to their planetary habitat
and to Earth.
The robots and mobile agent research is funded by the Software,
Intelligent Systems and Modeling Program, part of NASA's Exploration
Systems Mission Directorate.
Publication-size images are available on the World Wide Web at:
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/multimedia/images/2005/K9.html
http://amesnews.arc.nasa.gov/releases/2004/mobile_agents/mobile_agents.html
-end-
NASA to Show Intelligent Space Robots In Action at AMES 'Marscape'