Tweeting robots from outer space

Social networking has taken over many peoples lives, and it appears that even the Robots can't escape it. The first astronaut Robot – R2, has been activated at the International Space Station. One of his first actions wasn't to walk around and start analysing data – they had him make some tweets online.

The robot posted on twitter with “Those electrons feel GOOD! One small step for man, one giant leap for tinman kind.” With 40,000 followers already, it appears to be off to a good start.

The robot has been created to help support the humans, inside and outside the station.

The R2 robot weighs 136KG and is designed to be shaped like a human. The main body is white, and it has a helmeted, gold head with visor. It doesn't have any legs, but if it is to be ‘tweeting' on a regular basis, then perhaps they won't be needed. Much like a portion of the human race who sit 24/7 in a chair in front of a screen playing World Of Warcraft.

NASA have said that it will receive legs (they claim a single leg which would work in zero gravity we assume) at some stage, but it is fixed to a base for the time being.

NASA plan to mount R2 to a vehicle for exploration on Martian surfaces. We would hope that a sub machine gun, or laser is next in line to deal with those hostile alien lifeforms.

The R2 is not designed to replace humans, but there are clearly advantages to having one included within important missions, as it can be sent on more dangerous duties, or to help humans with certain tasks and duties.

John Olson, the director of NASA's exploration Systems Integration Office said on their website “The combined potential of humans and robots is a perfect example of the sum equalling more than the parts, It will allow us to go farther and achieve more than we can probably even imagine today.”

Kitguru says: Hopefully it won't attack the humans if they tell it to stop using social networking.

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