The new telepresence robot controlled with Oculus Rift, will explore the Moon

Scientists at Carnegie Mellon has developed a model for the robot on the moon. This robot should be in the "eyes" for enthusiasts and researchers from the Earth. Development cost - $ 30 million. It is understood that the project is included in the price and the estimated cost of sending a robot to the moon.

The robot was created as part of the competition Google Lunar Xprize, and this is due to the amount of development. The evaluation of the project involved a very respected scientists and astronauts. At this time, the jury was present and astronaut spaceship "Apollo-9" Rusty Schweickart.

Scientists at Carnegie plans to land a robot on the moon. using the remote control to move the robot on the surface at 500 meters, parallel shooting video. Unlike other devices, the new robot is controlled by the operator in glasses Oculus Rift. In this case the robot will broadcast (with a slight delay) video operator. Perhaps in the future the video stream will be open to all comers, so that schoolchildren and adults can take a look at the moon with their own eyes.

University team Astrobotic Technology plans to join forces with a company SpaceX, which will launch the robot using a rocket Falcon 9. It is assumed that the best of circumstances, and the availability of opportunities, the rocket will make your flight a year later.

"The aim of our work is very simple: let all who live on the earth shall see the moon live eyed robot. We do not just send a robot to the moon. We're going to get the moon here on earth. Imagine my feelings when you see the rocks and craters that billions of years. Turn the head to the right and see the dark surface of the moon. Turn the head to the left and you will see our house - Earth "- said the head of the research group of Daniel Shafrir.



To achieve its goal, the team of researchers to solve many smaller problems. For example, glasses Oculus can not yet provide simultaneous dual-stream video broadcast viewers in real time. But this is a technical detail, the problems will be solved soon.

At the present time for the grand prize of the contest Google Lunar Xprize fighting 18 teams from around the world.

Via bbc

Source: geektimes.ru/post/240600/