Discover CIMON, the first space robot equipped with Artificial Intelligence

The CIMON Astronaut Assistant, designed by Airbus and IBM, was used for the first time on board the ISS, giving Airbus the opportunity to present its features.

CIMON, the astronaute assistant(source: clubic)

First interactions with astronauts 

ESA German astronaut Alexander Gerst and CIMON worked together on November 15, 2018 for 90 minutes on the Columbus module of the International Space Station (ISS).

Alexander Gerst with CIMON (source: dlr)

A "flying brain"

Named CIMON for Crew Interactive Mobile CompanioN), he became the first astronaut assistant equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) to be launched into space. It consists of a 3D printed plastic sphere with a screen in its center and has different capacities. For Manfred Jaumann, head of Airbus, CIMON is a true "flying brain" and specifies that its use is a "historical moment". Alexander Gerst, the astronaut, was able to test the audio, ultrasound sensors and navigation camera after loading the software into the ISS, allowing the robot to make movements in the space station. In addition, he can make eye contact with astronauts.

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