Space Exploration with Human Proxy Robots

• US 20130211587A1
• Filed: 05/23/2012
• Published: 08/15/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jr., Kenneth Dean Stephens
• Original Assignee: Jr., Kenneth Dean Stephens
• Inventors: Stephens, Kenneth Dean Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 9,573,276 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/246
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 11/00 Manipulators not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 3/04 involving servo mechanisms servo-actuated heads B25J15/02
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/1689 Teleoperation
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/1064 specifically adapted for interplanetary, solar or interstellar exploration
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 2004/005 Robotic manipulator systems for use in space
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 4/00 Tools specially adapted for use in space
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/40116 Learn by operator observation, symbiosis, show, watch
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/40191 Autonomous manipulation, computer assists operator during manipulation
• CPC Class Codes: G06N 3/004 Artificial life, i.e. computing arrangements simulating life
• CPC Class Codes: G06N 3/008 based on physical entities controlled by simulated intelligence so as to replicate intelligent life forms, e.g. based on robots replicating pets or humans in their appearance or behaviour

Abstract

A system and method of space exploration with a human-controlled proxy robot surrogates is disclosed. The method includes: training the human controlled proxy robot surrogates using human handlers; controlling the human-controlled proxy robot surrogates using the human handlers; and deploying a plurality of human-controlled proxy robot surrogates for extraterrestrial missions, missions on Earth, the Moon, and near-Earth locations. Each of the human-controlled proxy robot surrogates are in communication with each of the human handlers and wherein each one of the plurality of proxy robot surrogates is paired with each one of the plurality of human handlers. The human-controlled proxy robot surrogates further comprise an artificial intelligence (AI). The artificial intelligence of the disclosed method includes learned behavior.

Claims

1. A method of space exploration with human-controlled proxy robot surrogates comprising:

training an at least one proxy robot surrogate with an at least one human handler;

wherein the at least one proxy robot surrogate is in communication with said at least one human handler;

deploying a plurality of proxy robot surrogates for an extraterrestrial mission; and

controlling the plurality of proxy robot surrogates by a plurality of human handlers in said extraterrestrial mission;

wherein each one of the plurality of proxy robot surrogates is paired with each one of the plurality of human handlers.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one proxy robot surrogate further comprising an artificial intelligence;

wherein the artificial intelligence includes learned behavior for autonomous or semi-autonomous operations far from earth where communication lags render real-time control by the at least one human handler impracticable.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one proxy robot surrogate is designed for operation by the at least one human handler in real or near real-time;

and

wherein the artificial intelligence operates at least a motor control function overseeing smooth movement, balance and hazard avoidance.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the at least one proxy robot surrogate trained to emulate the at least one human handler in fields including geology, planetary science, life science, construction, mechanics and robot repair.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the artificial intelligence further comprising training the at least one proxy robot surrogate to emulate the behavior of the at least one human handler.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the artificial intelligence of the at least one proxy robot surrogate is acquired from sources including:

a recorded experience;

training sessions;

a plurality of missions;

a set of template characteristics of a particular skill or discipline.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one proxy robot surrogate is designed to be controlled by the at least one human handler from a location including:

Earth, a space station, an orbiting command module, a spacecraft, a lunar base, and a non-earth planetary base.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of proxy robot surrogates further comprising:

anatomical features including “

eye” and

“

ear”

spacing, “

nostrils,”

“

mouth”

, limbs, head, neck, torso, and joints;

wherein the anatomical features of each of the plurality of proxy robot surrogates correspond dimensionally to anatomical features of the plurality of human handlers; and

wherein each of the plurality of proxy robot surrogates is paired with each of the plurality of human handlers.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the anatomical features of the plurality of proxy robot surrogates further comprising:

manually adjusting the anatomical features in a factory or a mission setting to change any of the anatomical features to meet those of a new human handler;

or

adjusting the anatomical features to represent dimensionally a mean or average of the anatomical features of a human handler group, or

adjusting the anatomical features to represent some particular set of mission requirements.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein manual adjustments are made at the remote mission setting by either a technician or by at least one additional proxy robot surrogate in the mission setting to meet the anatomical features of the new human handler or some particular set of mission requirements.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein adjusting the anatomical features further comprising at least one of:

motors, hydraulics and pneumatics that automatically adjust to the dimensions of the new human handler or a particular set of mission requirements.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one proxy robot surrogate is capable of transmitting accurate visual, aural, olfactory, tactile and other sensual data to the at least one human handler,

wherein the sensual data provides the at least one human handler with an equivalent experience of the sensual data as that of the at least one proxy robot surrogate.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one proxy robot surrogate receives “

follow me”

movement and positional data from the at least one human handler and emulates every move of the at least one human handler.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising two-way data and communication channels between the at least one proxy robot surrogate and a specific human handler, including channels from the at least one proxy robot surrogate to the specific human handler with video, sensory, positional and analytical data;

and

wherein channels from the specific human handler to the at least one proxy robot surrogate include “

follow me”

positional data and mission commands.

21. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

communicating via a send/receive headset for each human handler of the plurality of human handlers operating the plurality of proxy robot surrogates as a team,

wherein the plurality of human handlers can communicate with each other and with other mission specialists while operating the plurality of proxy robot surrogates;

wherein a separate send function in said send/receive headset by which commands from each of the plurality of human handlers may be translated by computer into data for each proxy robot surrogate paired with each human handler; and

communicating via a plurality of data terminals for further communication between the plurality of human handlers and other mission specialists,

wherein the plurality of data terminals do not communicate with the plurality of proxy robot surrogates.

8. A method of providing human telepresence on mars and other planets and locations far from Earth utilizing a plurality of proxy robot surrogates comprising:

operating autonomously in a manner closely emulating the behavior of a plurality of human handlers;

receiveing commands and corrections from the plurality of human handlers;

wherein each of the plurality of proxy robot surrogates includes an artificial intelligence; and

wherein each of the plurality of proxy robot surrogates is paired with each of the plurality of human handlers.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the plurality of proxy robot surrogates explores, constructs, repairs, maintains, discovers and reacts either autonomously or semi-autonomously under partial or peridic control of the said at least one human handler.

16. A method of utilizing a plurality of proxy robot surrogates comprising:

operating the plurality of proxy robot surrogates either semi-autonomously or under direct human control;

deploying the plurality of proxy robot surrogates to carry out missions on the earth, on the moon, on space platforms or other near-earth locations,

wherein each proxy robot surrogate is paired with a human handler in the performance of mission-specific tasks.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the mission is a response to disasters, wherein each of the plurality of proxy robot surrogates is paired with each of the plurality of human handlers;

and

wherein disasters comprise fire, earthquakes, severe weather and flooding;

disease and radiation response;

mining and other accidents;

search, recovery or other activities in extreme conditions including ocean depths, volcanoes, the rarified atmosphere of altitude, extreme hot or cold, or other situations that pose a danger to human beings.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein each proxy robot surrogate is designed for operation by a team of human handlers specialized in fields including:

assembly of telescopes and other instruments; and

construction of communication and observation platforms, landing and launch areas, mines and resource processing facilities, and living and work facilities for human dwellers.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the plurality of proxy robot surrogates are designed for operation by the team of human handlers specialized in fields including:

geology;

astronomy, astrophysics, energy science, planetary science;

life science;

emergency response, human medicine;

robot maintenance and repair;

mining; and

soil, rock and other sample analysis.

22. A system of space exploration utilizing human-controlled proxy robot surrogates comprising:

a plurality of human-controlled controlled proxy robot surrogates for extraterrestrial missions;

an artificial intelligence functioning in each of the plurality of human-controlled proxy robot surrogates,

wherein the artificial intelligence includes learned behavior;

a control device for controlling the plurality of human controlled proxy robot surrogates by a plurality of human handlers,

wherein the control device further comprising two-way data and communication channels between each of the plurality of human-controlled proxy robot surrogates and each human handler, and

wherein said data and communication channels include video, sensory, positional and analytical data.