NASA to send self-charging robotic bees to space

NASA is sending some self-charging ‘robotic bees’ up to the space station to help astronauts, basically a collaboration between humans and robots.

NASA to send self-charging robotic bees to space

NASA recently announced its plans to send robotic bees, dubbed Astrobee, to the International Space Station (ISS)  which will fly alongside the astronauts and help scientists develop and ‘test technologies for use in zero-gravity’ and ‘help the astronauts do their routine chores’.

The 1sq.ft, compact, cube-shaped flying robots consist an array of cameras and sensors for navigation, crew monitoring, sampling activities, logistics managements and such other routine tasks.

It also features a touchscreen, speaker and a microphone, along with a mechanical arm that enables it to handle cargo or running experiments.

NASA wish to use Astrobees in order to learn more about how humans interact with robots over extended time periods and in close proximity. Also, Astrobees is a key for future missions to the moon and beyond.

Also, the Astrobees’ cameras will give on-ground controllers the ability to fly around the space station and inspect the surroundings.

The space agency said, “They can see and hear the station activities through the free-flyers’ microphone and cameras, monitor and conduct experiments, or oversee routine chores by remote control, almost like being there.”