Tendon Suspended Robots: Virtual Reality and Terrestrial Applications

This paper discusses tendon suspended robots in virtual reality and other terrestrial applications. The paper primarily describes the robot currently supporting EVA training simulations at NASA's Johnson Space Center, detailing unique characteristics of this unit, simulation capabilities, and operational advantages of this tendon suspended robot compared to an articulated robot for this application. The paper reviews results from operations to date, prospects for additional simulations, and opportunities for future development in virtual reality and other terrestrial applications.