CIMON (Crew Interactive Mobile Companion) is a creation from aircraft manufacturer Airbus and IBM that has been designed to accompany astronauts on the International Space Station. The 11-pound, 3D-printed orb will float in space and use IBM Watson software to interact with members of the crew. The talking, flying robot boasts a small screen on which a face is displayed, so that CIMON can emote like a true companion.
As Manfred Jaumann, a payload engineer at Airbus, describes: "CIMON will be the first AI-based mission and flight assistance system."
CIMON is currently being developed by Airbus on behalf of the German Aerospace Center (DLR). As of June, German astronaut Alexander Gerst will begin a mission to the ISS, in which CIMON will help with three main tasks: experimenting with crystals, solving puzzles and conducting a complex medical task.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- AI Orb Companions
- The development of AI-powered orb companions will revolutionize the space industry by providing assistance to astronauts and opening up new opportunities for research.
- 3D Printing in Space Technology
- The integration of 3D printing technology in the manufacturing of space equipment such as CIMON will pave the way for new innovations and cost-efficient production in the space industry.
- AI-driven Scientific Research
- The use of AI, like IBM Watson software, to conduct scientific research in space will allow for more efficient and accurate experiments and analysis.
Where This Applies
- Space Technology
- The space technology industry will benefit greatly from the development of AI-powered orb companions and the integration of 3D printing technology in manufacturing space equipment.
- Artificial Intelligence
- The AI industry can take advantage of the opportunities presented by the development of CIMON, specifically in the area of creating AI-based mission and flight assistance systems.
- Scientific Research
- The use of AI like IBM Watson software in scientific research, specifically in space, offers great potential for new discoveries and innovation.
