NASA and Sony work together with PlayStation VR to train space robots

PlayStation VR is being used by NASA to train space robots.

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NASA and Sony have been working together on a PlayStation VR experience called Mighty Morphenaut, which is a PlayStation VR demo that allows operators to practice control over a humanoid in space.

Mighty Morphenaut recreates the robot's environment, which is a simulated space shuttle so that users on the ground can learn how to get the humanoid to complete a task, or move around obstacles from a safe distance. NASA has been trying to build a dexterous humanoid for space exploration for a while now, something that led to the rise of Robonauts. Robonauts are dexterous humanoids that are designed to help, or even replace humans in space. NASA explains Robonauts, "one advantage of a humanoid design is that [it] can take over simple, repetitive, or especially dangerous tasks on places such as the International Space Station".

When NASA use the Mighty Morphenaut demo, it allows the operators to use the PS4-powered PlayStation VR headset to look around and make quick decisions based on the environment the robot is in, all in real-time. The robot will then perform movements based on the operator's movement of the Move controllers, but there is lag between the movement of the Move controller, and the Robonaut, obviously. It might be a long time before NASA can control a humanoid from Earth while it hovers around in space, but VR and AR technologies are going to do huge things for NASA.

NASA and Sony work together with PlayStation VR to train space robots 02
NEWS SOURCE:engadget.com

Anthony joined the TweakTown team in 2010 and has since reviewed 100s of graphics cards. Anthony is a long time PC enthusiast with a passion of hate for games built around consoles. FPS gaming since the pre-Quake days, where you were insulted if you used a mouse to aim, he has been addicted to gaming and hardware ever since. Working in IT retail for 10 years gave him great experience with custom-built PCs. His addiction to GPU tech is unwavering and has recently taken a keen interest in artificial intelligence (AI) hardware.

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