Written by Sunny Saito
CIMON, short for Crew Interactive Mobile Companion, is a 5kg conversable head-shaped AI robot that is being used in the International Space Station. CIMON is an assistant and aid for the astronauts with their tasks on the ISS; it is also the first robot ever to fly in space. This miraculously unique robot was developed by a European aerospace corporation named Airbus and IBM (International Business Machines) in 2018 for the German National Space Agency, DLR. CIMON is a technology designed to demonstrate and show how humans and AI can support each other and collaborate in the space environment. In addition, CIMON is also an extremely talented device that is able to access a variety of relevant information, including photos and videos. It is also intelligent enough to answer and discuss varies of questions including those questions that are “beyond the procedure”. During an interview (which was recorded in Space.com), a CIMON system engineer at Airbus, Philipp Schulien has said, “Alexander Gerst could say something like, ‘CIMON, could you please help me perform a certain experiment? Could you please help me with the procedure?’. And then CIMON will fly towards Alexander Gerst, and they will already start the communication.” This indicates how CIMON similar to regular crew members, is able to fluently communicate and work with astronauts. It also illustrates how CIMON can make work easier for the astronauts when carrying out everyday tasks, deal with experimental and procedure problems, and even some security difficulties, as it may also serve as an early warning system for technical problems. Additionally, Airbus representatives in a mission description have also stated: “They will experiment with crystals, work together to solve the Rubik’s cube and perform a complex medical experiment using CIMON as an ‘intelligent’ flying camera,”. This clearly indicates how CIMON is multi-talented, and how it can help to increase efficiency and mission success in the ISS. As CIMON is on its way to greater astronaut assistant training, we can look forward to how CIMON will develop in associating with crew members, dealing with technical, experimental, procedural difficulties, and creating ways to improve our tasks within the space environment. SOURCES:
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