NASA is developing humanoid robots for lunar missions

NASA's Dexterous Robotics Team at Johnson Space Center is building next-generation robots to assist crews on the moon and possibly Mars. The iMETRO testbed lets NASA and private companies refine technologies for microgravity, lunar dust and radiation.

• NASA has tested bipedal robots Valkyrie and Robonaut 2, which flew to the ISS
• iMETRO includes simulators for rovers, habitats and a moon-like surface
• PickNik tested a robotic arm to open hatches and move cargo bags
• Goal is not replacing humans but reducing risk and freeing time for research