CIMON (Crew Interactive Mobile Companion) is a device designed to help crew members aboard the International Space Station.
He has been described as a "flying brain" by Manfred Jaumann, responsible for microgravity payloads at Airbus.
He was trained to recognize the voice and face of Alexander Gerst, 42, a geophysicist from the European Space Agency.
When Gerst calls CIMON, the floating robot hears acoustically from where Gerst calls, orients CIMON (Crew Interactive MObile Companion) is a device the size of a basketball designed to help members of 39; crew aboard the International Space Station ” class=”blkBorder img-share” />
CIMON (Crew Interactive MObile Companion) is a basketball-sized device designed to help members of the International Space Station. crew aboard the International Space Station
By hovering at eye level astronauts, his front camera can detect if the person in front of him is Gerst, or someone else.
He is also designed to interpret his emotional state.
CIMON will be powered by more than a dozen propellers to help it fly and avoid clashing with things inside the Columbus space lab module.
The purpose of this flight is primarily to demonstrate the work of technology.
CIMON is equipped with a microphone at the back, an infrared camera at the front and two batteries.
The robot should be able to guide Gerst through various scientific procedures, showing videos or images as needed.
Gerst can also ask questions to the robot beyond the simple procedure
