Crew Interactive MObile companioN or CIMON is an Artificial Intelligence (AI) integrated robot that joined the International Space Station (ISS) in November 2018 as part of the 57th mission. CIMON made friends with the astronauts in space and assisted them with day-to-day repair work.
The AI system of CIMON was programmed by IBM while its Physique was developed by Airbus. CIMON is a 3D printed ball that weighs 5 kilograms with a video screen for its face and a camera.
CIMON's commander and best friend in ISS is Alexander Gerst. He is a German astronaut, explorer, volcanologist, and geophysicist. His space missions include Soyuz MS-09, Soyuz TMA-13M, Expedition 40 and 41, Expedition 56, and Expedition 57.
Expedition 57 is joined by CIMON. Gerst recorded videos of CIMON to highlight its capabilities and shared it with the team on Earth. Gerst and CIMON even share the same favorite song entitled Man Machine by Kraftwreck.
CIMON's neural AI system allows it to learn and refine advice for future tasks. Although there were times when CIMON would rebel through its movements, CIMON always responds to Gerst's voice by asking him what he needs help with. According to Gerst, CIMON can last autonomously for about two hours without a power source.
Gerst participated in the development of CIMON's face and voice. He based his choices in the concept of friendship, including CIMON's talents. As a matter of fact, Gerst and CIMON solved the Rubik's cube together. The experiences these duo shared may play a vital role in the mental and physical aspects of future guests in ISS.
Studies show that strenuous tasks are better executed when done with a cooperative colleague. And this is exactly what CIMON is to Gerst, something... or "someone" that can be relied on. According to an IBM architect, CIMON helps increase the reliability of safety in space because it can serve as an early warning device in case there are system failures.
According to Airbus, CIMON is the first of its prototype. Unlike any other tests, CIMON's initial test was in space, and will soon be tested when it returns on Earth. If CIMON yields a successful, developers believe that CIMON can be very useful in the fields of healthcare and social care.
Now, that would be an amazing breakthrough. It may aid surgeons and medical specialists in healthcare procedures. It can also probably help the elderly in their day-to-day activities.
CIMON says we are the future!
