Japan's cute space drone

[Brian G Turner]

Just what you need for taking pictures and video in zero-g:

Japan's zero-gravity space drone sends first pictures from ISS - BBC News

 

[TheDustyZebra]

It's a space owl!

 

[Vertigo]

So cute, and yet he/she/it has an important role in freeing up astronaut time! Love it!

 

[Overread]

Countdown until a Pixar film about it begins!

 

[Danny McG]

I want one!

 

[SilentRoamer]

I wonder what it used to control motion? Any thoughts?

Apparently it is completely capable of operating fully in Zero-G according to the article.

 

[reiver33]

Someone watched too much Stargate Universe...

 

[Overread]

My guess is that its using air to move around, you can even see the little hole and central spike on the front that might be the face of a fan. There's air in the space station so its got that to work with and its more efficient than having it move with air jets and thus having to carry its own internal fuel store (which would work for the vacuum of space).

 

[SilentRoamer]

Yeah I think battery powered fans makes the most sense. Unlikely to be anything compressed due to the safety issues.

I doubt that thing could survive the vacuum of space but I like the idea of an army of them invading a planet.

We are now your overlords, we demand obedience and love of our cuteness or we shall wish you to oblivion with happy thoughts!

Although they do look a bit similar to the drones in Oblivion!

 

[Brian G Turner]

So I was the only one thinking of V.i.n.c.e.n.t. and B.o.b. from The Black Hole then?

 

[Vertigo]

Yes I'd think a combo of air and a gyro for stability and changing orientation.

 

[Parson]

Hmm! Instead of "Big Brother" watching, they will now have "Little Owl" watching.

 

[Danny McG]

So I was the only one thinking of V.i.n.c.e.n.t. and B.o.b. from The Black Hole then?

That was it! Was trying desperately to think what it reminded me of

 

[Overread]

See doesn't remind me of those two not yet - it needs more bulk below it. Right now it reminds me a little more of Eva from Walle; all sleek and techno. Asides it needs lasers to be a Vincent or Bob

 

[Brian G Turner]

See doesn't remind me of those two not yet - it needs more bulk below it. Right now it reminds me a little more of Eva from Walle; all sleek and techno. Asides it needs lasers to be a Vincent or Bob

That's because they haven't given it guns yet.

 

[night_wrtr]

Taken from ScienceAlert article on the droids motion:

Along the surface of the sphere, 12 fans are positioned to enable Int-Ball to move around, while a number of '3D Target Markers' placed on the ISS's internal walls help the drone to orientate itself so it can navigate from place to place.

Article here:
Japan's Ridiculously Cute Floating Camera Bot Is Now Operational on The ISS

 

[SilentRoamer]

My immediate thought was definitely:

Batteries Not Included!