Matthew Warner
Published by: Psytext
Our technology is constantly developing and changing, computer power and capabilities double every 18 months to meet our wants, demands and our needs. As we gain knowledge and acquire new skills, humans amalgamate their resources together, producing new and better ideas. We have made many technological advancements in the last 10 years, and this is mainly based on the active use of the world wide web or (Internet). Artificial intelligence, or “AI” is one of the new and developing concepts that is slowly being integrated into our daily lives.
Public and private sectors work to design platforms that provide the user with the components that can help and educate their positive progression. The current types of artificial intelligence aspects that are integrated into our available technology, can be seen in the form of cellular devices, personal assistants, computers or tablets and even some new automobiles have artificial intelligence or virtual intelligence built into their control systems. A.I. is rising and changing how we interact with technology and each other.
This style of user interface offers a warm and friendly environment to go about daily activities, or can also be used for special assignments and complicated tasks. These systems allow users the chance to gain the most from their computers, without manually going through all the physical steps. It provides users with the feel of another person, or assistant. One of the new artificial intelligence systems that is about to become a normal part of scientific exploration, is “C.I.M.O.N”. C.I.M.O.N is an acronym for Crew Interactive Mobile Companion. C.I.M.O.N will be used as a supportive artificial intelligence system aboard the International Space Station, and will operate in zero gravity. Imagine a talking, floating sphere, that's there when you need it! That's the idea behind C.I.M.O.N. The first in space human trial of the new AI support system C.I.M.O.N, is going to take place this summer and is being tested by astronaut Alexander Gerst. Prior to this, C.I.M.O.N has only been through microgravity tests conducted in zero G aircraft, to ensure that it will be able to maintain orientation and awareness of its surroundings, in an environment void of gravity.
The developing company Airbus, in conjunction with IBM, started the C.I.M.O.N project with an idea of an A.I. virtual assistant to aid astronauts on missions. In 2016, the Bonn-based DLR Space Administration, commissioned the project and began researching and developing the components necessary to complete their vision. Designed to float inside a controlled environment, C.I.M.O.N is in its final stages of development. Soccer ball-like in appearance, with a friendly face and voice affixed to an illuminated screen, C.I.M.O.N has a friendly appearance accented with positive human attributes. C.I.M.O.N is designed to assist astronauts on their missions by offering interactive support throughout their required tasks, assignments and experiments.
With the ability to monitor and communicate with humans and other machines, C.I.M.O.N can remind astronauts of jobs they need to complete, warn them of impending dangers and navigate through the ISS or through other spacecraft automatically, with its own propulsion system. For solo space missions that require prolonged periods of time away from home, C.I.M.O.N will not only aid the scientist or astronaut aboard, but will offer a form of companionship to lessen the mental strain and loneliness that may accompany them while being away from home. C.I.M.O.N is designed to lower stress levels. To me, it resembles “Wilson”, Tom Hanks’s pet volley ball in the movie “Castaway”, but has the helpful abilities of the robot from the film “Short Circuit”. Being in space is physically and emotionally strenuous, it takes a toll on even the few of us that are skilled and talented enough to make its journey. C.I.M.O.N has also been tested on photographs of human faces to develop its impending emotional stress response system, which is scheduled to be implemented anywhere from 2019-2020. Having the support of C.I.M.O.N, is like having another active crew member on your team. When another astronaut is unavailable or not present at all, C.I.M.O.N can use cameras to videotape and photograph experiments when your hands are busy, providing schematics on command. C.I.M.O.N is your personal assistant, in space! During its first space tests, C.I.M.O.N will have a full scope of the ISS’s interior and be able to navigate to the points in the space station it’s needed in, when it's needed to be there, all on its own (C.I.M.O.N, during a test flight; zero gravity simulation).
Having extra support for scientific exploration is one step closer to successfully reaching any goals that may need to be completed in a celestial setting. On earth, A.I. has many uses and can be configured in many different ways. Space exploration offers a new playing field to research and develop the possibilities of future endeavors. There are many things to consider when spending time on the ISS or in space in general. Keeping stock of your resources is important, as well as managing time and materials to maximize productivity. Think of how much more productive astronauts will be with a virtual assistant working with them that is especially designed for the task at hand. In order for C.I.M.O.N to interact with the pilots on an almost human level, C.I.M.O.N components require technological research, development and implementation. This has been conducted by the Airbus Space and Defense corporation in Germany, in conjunction with the International Business Machines Corporation (IBM). IBM manufactures computer hardware and components that play a crucial role in the development of the C.I.M.O.N Artificial Intelligence interface.
In order for C.I.M.O.N to navigate its surroundings, it has been equipped with multiple cameras that sense the environment. It uses them for mobility, and it can even judge the astronauts facial expressions, allowing them to know what mood you are in and how you are feeling. C.I.M.O.N is like a virtual floating friend and is even smart enough to solve rubix cube puzzles! The preliminary test of C.I.M.O.N will involve its basic functions as a form of practice and calibration toward it being used for group interfaces and more complicated procedures. The first space test will also help the software developers decide how to proceed to further advancements.
I spoke to Guilhem Boltz from the media relations of the space systems department of Airbus Defense and Space. He compared C.I.M.O.N to the A.I. system in the film, “2001 Space Odyssey”. A device able to communicate with those aboard the spacecraft and relay information back home. The test conducted this summer aboard the ISS will determine how C.I.M.O.N interacts with humans. The test stage will also determine if any changes need to be made before C.I.M.O.N is released and used as a standard component. C.I.M.O.N is programmable, its tasks and orientation can be changed depending on the situation, making it very user friendly. The development of C.I.M.O.N’s A.I. will inevitably pave the way to fully unmanned space missions that use a control system that is intuitive enough to manage the spacecraft and collect data.
How does C.I.M.O.N move about the ISS in zero gravity? It uses an air propulsion system in conjunction with sensors and cameras to avoid obstacles, constructed of internal fans and gyroscopic sensors. This allows C.I.M.O.N to move autonomously and position itself. C.I.M.O.N can travel at a rate of 5 meters every 30 seconds, its maximum speed is 1.3kms/h. C.I.M.O.N has built in microphones and speakers to listen, communicate with users and even play music or other forms of entertainment for the astronauts when they need it. With a 2 hour battery life, C.I.M.O.N has the option of adding a replacement power source, instead of charging the entire unit for continuous use and activity. C.I.M.O.N even has 2 USB ports and a privacy button to temporarily disable its cameras when necessary.
When I look at C.I.M.O.N, I see a device that resembles many of the A.I. assistants from my favorite sci-fi movies and books. R2-D2 didn't float, or even speak clearly to its delegated dominatrices, but he still had his own uses and functionality. The computer in “2001 a Space Odyssey” Hal, eventually went rogue and tried to kill a bunch of people, as many fictional A.I. computer systems do. C.I.M.O.N is an A.I. you can trust, with limited capabilities that are controlled and decided upon by its human users. C.I.M.O.N stays connected, functioning inside of a controlled environment that connects and relays to satellite dishes and earth based systems on a national scale. It is in constant connection with satellites as well as ground bases, sending information automatically back and forth, recording data and alerting crew members of any issues that may arise prior to it causing damage. Imagine Siri or Google Home, but in space! Airbus and IBM have plans for C.I.M.O.N’s development. They are working on software that can not only determine the stress level of an astronaut, but decide counter measures that will combat the effects. C.I.M.O.N will be prepared to handheld celestial psychosis such as, “earth out of sight” and the “groupthink” effect. Eventually, appendages will be added to allow C.I.M.O.N to complete physical tasks!
Technology grows at an exponential rate, getting faster, stronger and better. C.I.M.O.N is a prime example of the positive outcomes working as a team can produce. With both companies working in conjunction with a set plan, C.I.M.O.N will continue to develop for the better. One of the goals for C.I.M.O.N's development is to create an A.I. that will travel to places like deep space, or the bottom of the sea, places that humans cannot reach. Without the need for food or water, an A.I. a pilot could theoretically survive with little or no supplies, and travel through space without the mental and emotional stress a human would succumb to. A.I.’s can also take one way trips. This takes away the resources needed for a 2 way mission, and can extend the time spent traveling. The future of C.I.M.O.N and A.I. technology is looking bright.
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