An Interdisciplinary Approach to Human-Robot Cooperation in Near-Term Exploration Scenarios

15 Pages Posted: 31 Jul 2012

See all articles by Jeffrey Osborne

Jeffrey Osborne

International Space University

Christopher Brunskill

International Space University

Rohan Jaguste

International Space University

Christopher Johnson

Secure World Foundation; Georgetown University Law Centre; Leiden University - Institute of Public Law; International Space University

Helia Sharif

International Space University

Ian Silversides

International Space University

Bertrand Trey

International Space University

Mihaela Vlasea

International Space University

Date Written: May 25, 2012

Abstract

This paper will present a model for collaborative space exploration through effective and efficient cooperation of humans and robots — an extension to the Cooperation of Humans and Robots Model (CHARM) developed by the Human-Robotic Cooperation (HRC) team at the International Space University’s 2011 Space Studies Program held in Graz, Austria. The HRC team integrated international, intercultural, and interdisciplinary perspectives to develop a decision-making model (the CHARM model) capable of selecting a mission scenario which best utilizes humans and robotics in order to accomplish a given objective.

Human and robotic capabilities differ, with each offering their own benefits and drawbacks. Robots are reliable and accurate, and can operate in hostile environments — all attributes well-suited for space exploration. However, when faced with new scenarios and unexpected events, robots pale in comparison with the intuition and creativity of humans. Future space exploration will have to intelligently balance the flexibility and ingenuity of humans with robust and sophisticated robotic systems.

Based on various space agency goals and the 2011 International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG) Roadmap, this paper selects an exploration objective for the timeframe between 2015 and 2030, and drafts different scenarios to accomplish this objective. Each scenario uses different degrees of human-robot interaction. CHARM is applied to select an optimal mix of human and robotics in order to accomplish the selected objective. CHARM uses an interdisciplinary approach, scoring attributes including technical, scientific, life sciences, political, social, financial, and legal perspectives. In this iteration of CHARM, an Analytical Hierarchy Process is used to assign weighting values to each attribute and the respective categories. The weights are complemented with those collected by survey of a panel of international experts in space exploration mission planning.

The results demonstrate that CHARM can be used to select missions efficiently and rationally, thereby reducing both mission costs and risks, making space exploration more feasible and long-term space exploration sustainable. To quantify output confidence in the CHARM scenario selection, a Monte Carlo probabilistic simulation is used to analyze the uncertainty in attribute weighting, introduced by the inclusion of numerous weight value input sources.

Keywords: Model, International Space University, Space Studies Program, Exploration, Human Robot Cooperation, Mars, Monte Carlo, Analytical Hierarchy Process, ISECG, International Space Exploration

Suggested Citation

Osborne, Jeffrey and Brunskill, Christopher and Jaguste, Rohan and Johnson, Christopher and Sharif, Helia and Silversides, Ian and Trey, Bertrand and Vlasea, Mihaela, An Interdisciplinary Approach to Human-Robot Cooperation in Near-Term Exploration Scenarios (May 25, 2012). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2120256 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2120256

Jeffrey Osborne

International Space University ( email )

Parc d'Innovation
Ilkirch-Graffenstaden, Bas-Rhine 67400
France

Christopher Brunskill

International Space University ( email )

Parc d'Innovation
Ilkirch-Graffenstaden, Bas-Rhine 67400
France

Rohan Jaguste

International Space University ( email )

Parc d'Innovation
Ilkirch-Graffenstaden, Bas-Rhine 67400
France

Christopher Johnson (Contact Author)

Secure World Foundation ( email )

1779 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20036
United States
202-568-6214 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://www.swfound.org/

Georgetown University Law Centre ( email )

600 New Jersey Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20001
United States

HOME PAGE: http://https://www.law.georgetown.edu/faculty/christopher-d-johnson/

Leiden University - Institute of Public Law ( email )

P.O. Box 9520
2300 RA Leiden, NL-2300RA
Netherlands
+31 71 527 2727 (Phone)
+31 71 527 2727 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/staffmembers/chris-johnson

International Space University ( email )

1779 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20036
United States
202-568-6214 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://www.swfound.org/

Helia Sharif

International Space University ( email )

Parc d'Innovation
Ilkirch-Graffenstaden, Bas-Rhine 67400
France

Ian Silversides

International Space University ( email )

Parc d'Innovation
Ilkirch-Graffenstaden, Bas-Rhine 67400
France

Bertrand Trey

International Space University ( email )

Parc d'Innovation
Ilkirch-Graffenstaden, Bas-Rhine 67400
France

Mihaela Vlasea

International Space University ( email )

Parc d'Innovation
Ilkirch-Graffenstaden, Bas-Rhine 67400
France

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