‘Aerial floating AI robot’ returns from space

Simon CIMON (Crew Interactive Mobile Companion), an AI-equipped robot jointly developed by French Airbus and IBM to support astronauts’ chores and brought into the International Space Station ISS in June 2018, took on a 14-month mission on August 27th. After finishing, I returned to the earth.

Simon verified the technology using AI and the ability to move while floating in the ISS, such as recognizing the face of an astronaut at the ISS and receiving guidance instructions by voice. Of course, you might think that this is the only function, but it is an initial operation experiment to develop a robot that will support astronauts on the international space station in the future.

The developer introduced the improvements from the first generation robot to this robot. The new Simon is equipped with a more powerful computer, a more sensitive microphone, improved float control, and a conversation system that recognizes voice and captures intentions while recording history. Then, as early as December, it will be sent back to the International Space Station for a new test.

Not only Simon, but also several robots are already active on the ISS. The US brought the cube-shaped Astrobee, and Russia a humanoid type, Fedor, into an orbital research facility.

Space agencies in each country believe that robot assistants will become essential for astronauts in the future when they have to spend a long time away from the ground. If you’re a spaceship that’s going to Mars with an astronaut, you’ll need a robot like the R2-D2 like the movie Star Wars. It is worth looking forward to the performance of robots that reduce human workload and help the crew focus on performing the mission. Related information can be found here .