Robonaut 2, NASA’s first humanoid robot in space, was selected as the NASA Government Invention of the Year for 2014.
Many outstanding inventions were considered for this award, and Robonaut 2 was chosen after a challenging review by the NASA selection committee that evaluated the robot in the following areas: Aerospace Significance, Industry Significance, Humanitarian Significance, Technology Readiness Level, NASA Use, Industry Use and Creativity. Robonaut 2 technologies have resulted in 39 issued patents, with several more still under review. The NASA Invention of the Year is a first for a humanoid robot and another in a series of firsts for Robonaut 2 that include: first robot inside a human space vehicle operating without a cage, and first robot to work with human-rated tools in space.
Expedition 39 commander Koichi Wakata and Robonaut 2 in the Destiny U.S. Laboratory. Credits: NASA
