Star Trek's Data is no longer a pale sitcom character. Nasa's Robonaut 2 will fly out in September with the Discovery shuttle and work alongside astronauts in the International Space Station. Built to work alongside humans, like a human – Robonaut 2 was developed by General Motors and NASA to be a complimentary companion, not a replacement, for astronauts. With dexterity and humanoid hands and arms, the robot is able to use all of the same tools and perform must of the same functions as its human counterparts, in terms of the space station.
R2 will be monitored closely during its first anti-gravity field trip in September of this year, as machinery does not hold up or operate as expected in space, much like humans.
Currently, R2 is undergoing rigorous training and testing for its first space expedition. Work it on out!
Read more about R2 at NASA.GOV
