Space robots

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Space robots

Figneiredo, R.J.de

As indicated earlier, space applications of automation and robotics are offering exciting opportunities for the development of new technologies in sensing and machine vision, real time computing especially parallel computing, expert systems, artificial intelligence, in particular implementation of intelligence in the form of neural-like networks, control systems, and aerospace and industrial mechanisms. The extent of sophistication involved in the development and integration of these technologies probably exceeds that which would exist if the space challenge was not in front of us. To quote a statement in a recent report of the National Commission on Space, chaired by Thomas Paine, 'NASA's robotic technology program should not follow U.S. industry, but should lead it, as industry thrusts will not produce the sensitive robotics needed for space operations'.