By James Pero For Dailymail.com
Published: 17:40 BST, 20 May 2019 | Updated: 18:15 BST, 20 May 2019
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A recent hardware test of NASA's robotic assistant, 'Astrobees,' takes a new wave of space-bound autonomous helpers one step closer to reality.
According to NASA, this month astronaut Anne McClain ran a hardware test of the robot, named 'Bumble,' one of three robotic assistants launched to the International Space Station (ISS) on April 15.
Scientists hope Bumble will carry out an array of housekeeping tasks like monitoring equipment and keeping inventory of supplies that NASA hopes will free up its astronauts to perform other more critical tasks relating to with their missions and experiments.
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Astrobees are just one of many robotic applications from NASA who is also studying the use of 'soft' robotics that replace traditional hardware with malleable plastics
'Astrobee will prove out robotic capabilities that will enable and enhance human exploration,' said Maria Bualat, Astrobee project manager at NASA’s Ames Research Center in a statement.
'Performing such experiments in zero gravity will ultimately help develop new hardware and software for future space missions.'
The bots, based on tiny robots that appear in 'Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith' are able to navigate their environment using a mixture of electric fans that provide their propulsion and cameras combined with on-board software that help it avoid obstacles.
Using a small robotic arm, the cubes can even assist in handling cargo or helping out with experiments.
Anne McClain performed the first hardware test of 'Bumble,' part of a trio of robots aboard the ISS that
