Space exploration with human proxy robots

• US 9,573,276 B2
• Filed: 05/23/2012
• Issued: 02/21/2017
• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): HOLLOWAY, JASON R
• Application Number:
  US13/479,128
• Publication Number:
  US 20130211587A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,735 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 proxy robot surrogates, comprising:

deploying at least one proxy robot surrogate enabled for an extraterrestrial mission,

wherein a motion of the at least one proxy robot surrogate is determined by follow-me signals transmitted from a proxy robot control environment on earth including a body suit adapted for a human handler;

sending video, sensory, positional and analytical data from the at least one proxy robot surrogate in space to the proxy robot control environment on earth;

capturing a motion of the body suit in the proxy robot control environment on earth by at least one camera external to the body suit and sensor means in contact with the body suit, wherein the camera and sensor means continuously monitor a position and each motion of the body suit;

translating the captured motions into follow-me signals, wherein the follow-me signals originate from the camera and the sensor means; and

directing the follow-me signals from the proxy robot control environment on earth to corresponding motor control means in the at least one proxy robot surrogate in space,

wherein the at least one proxy robot surrogate further comprises a plurality of anatomical features corresponding dimensionally to anatomical features of the body suit;

manually adjusting the anatomical features in a factory or a remote mission setting to change the anatomical features to meet those of a different body suit adapted for a different human handler, and

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 remote mission setting to meet the anatomical features of the different body suit or a set of mission requirements.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one proxy robot surrogate is designed for operation by receiving follow-me signals in real or near real-time;

and

wherein the received follow-me signals operates at least a motor control function overseeing smooth movement, balance and hazard avoidance.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the

anatomical features include eye cameras, ear spacing, nostrils, mouth, limbs, head, neck, torso, and joints.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the anatomical features of the at least one proxy robot surrogate further comprising:

adjusting the anatomical features to represent dimensionally a mean or average of the anatomical features of a plurality of body suits, or

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

5. The method of claim 4, wherein adjusting the anatomical features further comprising at least one of motors, hydraulics and pneumatics that automatically adjust to the dimensions of the different body suit adapted for the different human handler or the set of mission requirements.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one proxy robot surrogate is capable of transmitting accurate visual, aural and tactile data to the proxy robot control environment.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one proxy robot surrogate is enabled to receive follow-me movement and positional data from the proxy robot control environment, and

wherein the at least one proxy robot surrogate emulates every motion of the body suit.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising two-way data and communication channels between the at least one proxy robot surrogate and the proxy robot control environment, including channels from the at least one proxy robot surrogate to the proxy robot control environment with video, aural, tactile, positional and analytical data;

and

wherein channels from the proxy robot control environment to the at least one proxy robot surrogate include follow-me motion and positional data.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensor means further comprise sensors on tactile points, hinges and joints on the body suit.

9. A system of space exploration utilizing proxy robot surrogates comprising:

at least one proxy robot surrogate enabled for an extraterrestrial mission, wherein the at least one proxy robot surrogate has limbs, head, neck, torso, joint hinges, and other dimensions adjustable to mirror the dimensions of a body suit adapted for at least one human handler on earth;

a control device capable of allowing the at least one proxy robot surrogate to emulate every move of the body suit wherein the control device comprises follow-me signals to engage a motor control means corresponding to hinges and joints in the at least one proxy robot surrogate, and wherein the follow-me signals originate from a monitoring means tracking movement and position changes in the body suit; and

a communication means to enable the at least one proxy robot surrogate to receive the follow-me signals from the said monitoring means and to enable the proxy robot surrogate to send video, sensory, positional and analytical data to a proxy robot control environment on earth;

wherein the at least one proxy robot surrogate further comprises a plurality of anatomical features corresponding dimensionally to anatomical features of the body suit;

manually adjusting the anatomical features in a factory or a remote mission setting to change the anatomical features to meet those of a different body suit adapted for a different human handler, and

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 remote mission setting to meet the anatomical features of the different body suit or a set of mission requirements.