NASA, GM create new robotic technology

HOUSTON, Feb. 4 (UPI) -- The U.S. space agency says it has joined with the General Motors to accelerate development of the next generation of robots and robotic technologies.

NASA and GM engineers and scientists, working under a Space Act Agreement at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, say they are building a humanoid robot capable of working side by side with people.

Joined by engineers from Oceaneering Space Systems of Houston, NASA and GM 10 years ago developed and built Robonaut, a humanoid robot designed for space travel. Robonaut 2, or R2, is a faster, more dexterous and more technologically advanced robot, officials said. The new generation robot can use its hands to do work beyond the scope of prior humanoid machines.

"This cutting-edge robotics technology holds great promise, not only for NASA, but also for the nation," said Doug Cooke, associate administrator for the space agency's Exploration Systems Mission Directorate. "I'm very excited about the new opportunities for human and robotic exploration these versatile robots provide across a wide range of applications."