NMSTU Researchers Wish FEDOR a Successful Space Trip
- Published: Friday, 23 August 2019 05:29
This day has come! Today, on the Day of the National Flag of the Russian Federation, the famous robot from Magnitogorsk called FEDOR has gone into space. This marks the first trip of the Russian android robot to the International Space Station. NMSTU researchers, who had examined FEDOR earlier, wished FEDOR a good flight and a successful in-orbit test.
The robot was designed by Androidnaya Tekhnika registered in Magnitogorsk together with the Prospective Research Foundation following an assignment from Russia’s Emergency Ministry. In 2016-2017 researchers from Nosov Magnitogorsk State Technical University were actively involved in the design and research work for the robot. Researchers from NMSTU’s Department of Automated Electric Drives and Mechatronics were engaged in the design of electric drives for the modules of Spasatel, a robot that was FEDOR’s prototype. At the second stage of their joint research NMSTU and Androidnaya Tekhnika looked at FEDOR’s multijoint manipulators.
“We have been working with Androidnaya Tekhnika since 2010. Our researchers were involved in developing complex mathematical models for the robot’s mechatronic systems, a control algorithm and a programme code, which was then uploaded in the robot’s controllers. This way we helped them achieve steady control over robotic systems, and namely steady walking and arm movement. We also tried to prevent drive reboots in different parts of the robot and make the drive service life longer. Our aim was to ensure optimal movement of the manipulator components associated with minimum energy costs and maximum efficiency,” comments the department head Alexander Nikolaev.
The Department’s professor Evgeny Omelchenko, who directly dealt with FEDOR and, as a result, authored two monographs, told us what he felt during that time:
“Humans’ going into space is always risky. The lack of atmosphere and solar radiation produce a harmful effect on humans. Besides, this process takes a lot of time (up to two hours) and effort: putting on and taking off of the space suit, opening of the hatches, sealing of the modules, etc. Our FEDOR saves the need for cosmonauts to venture out into space. With the help of the exoskeleton, a cosmonaut can remotely control the robot from inside the station, and the robot can perform the actual task outside. It is quite convenient.”
“FEDOR is to work in outer space, i.e. vacuum, exposed to high radiation and a wide range of temperatures – from +100 to -100 degrees. It has undergone all the necessary training. It will spend two solid weeks in such conditions, and we believe in success of its space mission.”
As a side note, on the basis of their work aimed at developing modern robotic systems the Department’s professors Omelchenko and Sarvarov authored the following monographs, which are ready for publication: “Electric drives used in android robotic modules” and “Automatic electric drives for android robots”.
We wish FEDOR a good flight, a successful mission and a safe return to the Earth!!
Photo: tass.ru
