Hannover Messe 2019

••• 15••• Innovationen Autonomous space robots Scientists to present a new generation at Hannover Messe The DFKI is developing innovative hardware and software concepts that it is testing on Earth as part of so-called analogue missions. The scientists will be presenting their research as well as robotic space systems at the DFKI booth (hall 2, booth C59) at the Hanno- ver Messe. Complex tasks In future space missions, robots will be used for increasingly com- plex tasks: On foreign planets they shall penetrate into diffi- cult-to-reach areas such as caves and craters, build infrastructure for future base camps, carry out maintenance and repair work on satellites in orbit or remove space debris from the Earth’s or- bit. However, remote control of systems from Earth is not practi- cable, simply because of the de- layed communication to distant celestial bodies. That is why fu- ture space robots have to become independent actors. The DFKI Robotics Innovation Center headed by Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Frank Kirchner develops au- tonomous robot technologies for space operation, which are able to perceive their environ- ment comprehensively thanks to a multitude of different sensors. For environment perception, lo- calisation, and motion planning, the Bremen researchers rely on AI methods and algorithms, e.g. ma- chine learning methods. These enable the robots not only to act and make decisions auton- omously, but also to learn from their own behaviour. This is the only possible way to make use of robots on planetary and orbital missions over long periods of time and without human intervention. In order to be able to penetrate difficult and scientifically particu- larly interesting terrain on foreign planets, the scientists develop innovative, highly complex and biologically inspired mobility and morphology concepts: from mul- ti-unit walking robots to hybrid systems with leg-wheel construc- tions and walkable rovers with ac- tive chassis to upright and climb- ing systems in human-like form. Flexible systems Due to their modularity and re- configurability, these systems can be flexibly adapted to dif- ferent conditions and tasks. This enables them to carry out de- manding space missions alone, in robotic teams or in cooperation with humans. If necessary, the au- tonomous robots should also be remote controllable from Earth or the spacecraft. Especially for tasks that require a high degree of flexibility, it may be necessary for humans to intervene in the mission. The DFKI researchers are developing novel teleoperation technologies that are character- ised by intuitive operation. For ex- ample, remote control can be car- ried out via a control station using a portable exoskeleton that ena- bles force feedback. In this way, the human operator senses when the system encounters an obsta- cle and thus feels like being part of the action. In the future, robots and astronauts will also work col- laboratively together in space, e.g. to set up infrastructure. The rover Asguard IV navigates autonomously through a lava cave on Tenerife. Photo: DFKI GmbH Continued from page 1 Anzeige BUILD YOUR OWN CUSTOMIZED CONTROLLINO The basic PLCs on the market of- ten don’t have all the I/O channels you need. To solve this problem, you need to buy expensive modules – and even then you have to live with a fixed number of inputs and outputs. With CONTROLLINO myPLC you only put the components into your CONTROLLINO that you really need and want. 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