Technology on Robonaut 2 lays groundwork for future GM vehicle safety systems

Latest world Technology on Robonaut 2 lays groundwork for future GM vehicle safety systems

Call him R2 for short. Or should HER name be R2? No matter, because the collaboration between General Motors and NASA is indeed paying off.
Aside from a planned mission to the International Space Station, R2 is a validation of key technologies, including advanced sensors and vision systems, that might appear in your car one day.
In addition, manufacturing engineers in GM’s Research and Development operations also plan to use the findings to help develop future technologies that can make plants safer for workers at GM’s global manufacturing facilities.
According to the news release via media.gm.com, pictures show GM and NASA engineers performing various test and upgrade procedures to prepare R2 for his mission to space. (Oops, I wrote “his“ again, so R2 must be male.) Anyway, the trip into space is scheduled for the fall, while laying the groundwork for adoption of R2’s various technologies in GM’s next generation of cars and trucks.
Examiner Final Comments
I know what the UAW is thinking. GM might one day replace some workers with highly intelligent robots who never strike, never complain about benefits and never take off time to go fishing. Well, like time and chance, eventual replacement happens to us all.
Fact is R2’s technologies have real-world applications for sensor development, such as possible enhancements to lane departure warning, side blind zone alert, adaptive cruise control and rear park assist.
Rumor has it that GM has just leaped ahead of Honda and all other robotic manufacturers in their collaborative efforts with NASA. Was this in play before the government took GM over? I would assume so.
Still, it was a wise decision for GM, as the benefits from this technology will avail safer and smarter cars.

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