{"id":554927,"date":"2026-09-28T20:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-28T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?p=1050005"},"modified":"2026-09-28T20:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T10:00:00","slug":"reliable-robots-meet-johnsons-dexterous-robotics-team","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=554927","title":{"rendered":"Reliable Robots: Meet Johnson\u2019s Dexterous Robotics Team"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"A<\/a><\/figure>
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Dexterous Robotics Team lead Shaun Azimi conducts a demonstration with NASA\u2019s Valkyrie humanoid robot. <\/div>\n
NASA<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The idea of humans and robots working side-by-side in space was once the stuff of science fiction, but with NASA launching increasingly complex missions deeper into space, human-robot collaboration could become reality. <\/p>\n

Advanced robotic systems are critical for human spaceflight because they can enhance a crew\u2019s performance and productivity while reducing risk and expanding the capabilities for space exploration. The Dexterous Robotics Team at NASA\u2019s Johnson Space Center in Houston plays a key role in developing robotic hardware and software to support NASA\u2019s bold vision for the future, with a focus on robots that can complete tasks humans do with their hands.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cOur team is not trying to replace human explorers with robots but instead\u00a0make human exploration safer and more sustainable by developing\u00a0highly capable,\u00a0reliable, and trustworthy robots to work in extreme environments,\u201d said Shaun Azimi, Dexterous Robotics Team lead. \u201cIf we can send more capable robots, we can reduce the risk and make people more effective in doing the things that people do best.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\"Two<\/a><\/figure>
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Dexterous Robotics Team members Nathan Dunkelberger (left) and Connor Rainen test the use of a robotic arm. <\/div>\n
NASA<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The 16-member team is part of NASA\u2019s Robotic System Technology Branch, which also develops mobility systems like unmanned planetary rovers. Azimi is one of several engineers who work on both dexterity and mobility projects. There is also crossover within the Dexterous Robotics Team. While the group is generally organized into two subgroups, mechatronics and software, most team members have experience in electronics or mechanics as well as writing software for simulations or analyses. <\/p>\n

Much of that experience was gained by working on two well-known humanoid robots \u2013 the Robonaut 2<\/a>, which participated in robotics technology demonstrations aboard the International Space Station for seven years, and Valkyrie<\/a>, NASA\u2019s first bipedal humanoid robot. Many of the employees who worked on those projects now make up the Dexterous Robotics Team and continue to build upon the robots\u2019 legacy.<\/p>\n

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\"Pictures<\/a><\/figure>
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NASA\u2019s Robonaut 2 (left) and Valkyrie humanoid robots. <\/div>\n
NASA<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Today the team supports a variety of agency projects and programs, some of which are exploring connections to building the Moon Base<\/a>, humanity\u2019s first lunar outpost. \u201cOur work is a combination of technology research and development, and applied technology on the operational side,\u201d Azimi said. The team also collaborates with private industry and other external partners that face similar challenges in their work, such as an oil and gas company seeking to leverage robotic technologies in harsh environments and for riskier tasks.<\/p>\n

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\"A<\/a><\/figure>
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During a demonstration, Valkyrie hands Dexterous Robotics Team member Emily Sheetz a packed duffel bag. <\/div>\n
NASA\/Helen Arase Vargas<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

A major focus for the team has been development of the Integrated Mobile Evaluation Testbed for Robotics Operations (iMETRO)<\/a> facility at Johnson. Available to NASA programs and external partners, iMETRO is designed to support the adaptation of terrestrial robotic technologies for human-supervised space exploration applications such as logistics, maintenance, and scientific research. The facility comprises open-source software and simulation assets, as well as space vehicle and habitat mockups, a selection of \u201chouse robots,\u201d and an outdoor rock yard. Offering digital and physical facilities gives iMETRO users the flexibility to test a whole robot or a single hardware or software component.<\/p>\n

Azimi said iMETRO helps remove the guesswork from NASA\u2019s collaboration with external partners. \u201cIt shows them the things we actually need done so they don\u2019t have to speculate,\u201d he said. \u201cWe can also bring together the people who are developing the robotic technologies \u2013 hardware, software, or both \u2013 with the people who are actually designing a lunar surface habitat or rover.\u201d This enables different teams to learn from each other: The technology providers gain a better understanding of the habitat, while the habitat designers learn what features are needed to accommodate a robot. \u201cThey can learn about how robots perceive the world and interact with objects, and what is difficult for a robot compared to a human,\u201d Azimi said. \u201cIt\u2019s not necessarily a totally different interface, and something like a bigger handle or better lighting might make things easier for a person as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

In one case, a team from PickNik Inc. used iMETRO <\/a>to test software enabling a robotic arm to recognize a spacecraft hatch, then turn the latch, grasp the handle, and open the door. The arm was then able to transfer cargo bags between the hatch and a bin. The facility also supported a NASA intern\u2019s development and testing of software that used a common commercial robotic arm and camera to inspect and maintain a cold stowage freezer like those aboard the space station.  <\/p>\n

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\"Robotic<\/a><\/figure>
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Components of the Dexterous Robotics Team\u2019s iMETRO facility. <\/div>\n
NASA<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Azimi acknowledged the team\u2019s near-term emphasis on technologies that can support a sustained human presence on the lunar surface but noted those technologies also have applications for future missions to Mars. In fact, the team is collaborating with other agency organizations on a forthcoming NASA challenge that will invite the public to share their ideas for technology solutions for Mars exploration.<\/p>\n

Azimi said he is often asked why there is a robotics team at Johnson. \u201cIt\u2019s really about the human elements \u2013 either working in environments designed for humans or working alongside humans. That\u2019s our niche,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019re uniquely positioned to bring in folks who are designing the human environments.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The idea of humans and robots working side-by-side in space was once the stuff of science fiction, but with NASA launching increasingly complex missions deeper into space, human-robot collaboration could become reality. Advanced robotic systems are critical for human spaceflight because they can enhance a crew\u2019s performance and productivity while reducing risk and expanding the [\u2026]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15606,15634,15662,5063],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-554927","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-general","category-johnson-space-center","category-people-of-johnson","category-robotics"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t