Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Japanese Moon Base!

I read about this months ago, but having recently started this blog I figure what better place to discuss it?


So the basic idea is Japan hopes to have large humanoid robots on the moon by 2015, 660 pound behemoth bots with tracks instead of legs, But humanoid none the less. These bots will be equipped with seismographs and humanoid arms for gathering and collecting sample that will be returned to Earth via rocket. The robots will be controlled from Earth, but they'll also be imbued with their own kind of machine intelligence, making decisions on their own and operating with a high degree of autonomy. These will be surveyor bots designed to pave the way for base construction. They hope to finish construction by 2020.


above: Artists conception of partial base.
below: Official concept design for initial robots


"Those initial surveyor bots will pave the way for the construction of the unmanned moon base near the lunar south pole, which the robots will construct for themselves. That base will be solar powered and provide a working/living space future robot colonizers, as well as -- presumably -- a jumping off point for future human moon dwellers." - popsci.com

above: Officially released concept

Any thoughts or opinions on this subject? Discussion is highly encouraged :)

40 comments:

  1. That seems like the right way to go in order to get started with human colonization of the moon... Unfortunately the moon lacks all of the natural resources of the Earth so nearly everything would need to be shuttled over for a long time until it was self sufficient... and luxury items would still need shuttled over, an expensive notion.

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  2. True, But on a side note, Think of the technological fallout as a result of this undertaking, the advances in robotics alone would see the introduction of amazing technology for years to come.

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  3. Leave it up to the Japanese to come up with new (crazy?) ideas that hardly anyone else would come up with. Societies on the moon would seem like a great idea but theres still alot of variables that have to be mapped out to make sure its completely safe!

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  4. Hey do you guys think the moon landing was faked????

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  5. Imagine aibos running all over the place!

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  6. Hell yeah a moon base! johnmaddenjohnmaddejohnmaddejohnmadden

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  7. If they fall over, will still be able to bring themselves back up?

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  8. i hope i will be alive when this gonna happen

    followin

    http://chilltimeitis.blogspot.com/

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  9. Leave stuff like that to the japanese, they are craaazy :P

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  10. interesting read mate. keep up the good work.supp

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  11. This is a win. Following this awesome stuff!

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  12. I really don't believe they'll make it work, and it seems sort of pointless...
    But meh, followin your blog, you have some interesting stuff

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  13. You must search for "Red bull stratos" on youtube, you will find a nice vidz, and a interresting project.

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  14. Out of random curiosity, would you by chance listen to Tom Waits??

    Also - the liklyhood of colonization of the moon is slim to none. There's too much work, we don't have the technology for it. At this point all we can do is speculate.

    I remember in grade 5 we watched a movie (documentry?) on how by 2005 we'd be colonized on Mars... and That was YEARS ago. It's never gonna happen.

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  15. @Twiggy: I do indeed listen to Tom waits.

    Also, At this point the base is purely for robots and the like to carry out experiments and setup essentially a launch pad for future space travel projects. Honestly launching from the moon would cut fuel requirements so much it would make genuine exploration much more feasible.

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  16. I am genuinely excited to see this plan come to fruition!

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  17. @TWaits: Ahhh what a wonderful singer! I approve of your musical taste.

    Though I do agree that it would make exploration more feasable, I'm still unconvinced that it will actually happen. As neat as it would be - I'm not convinced it's entirely possible.

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  18. @Twiggy: Thanks! Tom is amazing, great voice and great sound!

    As far as it actually happening we will have to wait and see. However, regardless of its success as I mentioned previously the technological fallout alone would bring advancements in so many fields even the attempt would better our world substantially.

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  19. The first step for an alien robot race. Thanks Japan!

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  20. wtb some pocky and some cute japanese astronaughts plz

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  21. I can't wait. We need to get off this rock we call Earth. I'd love to vacation on the moon.

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  22. Seems plausible. If you're up for it, I'm up for it! Living on the moon would be pretty incredible...

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  23. wow it's cool post man

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  24. To punish them although not done but meant. Following!

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