NASA Robots Working 24/7 Without Pay or Benefits on Offshore Oil Rigs

NASA’s humanoid robot Valkyrie is now working all three shifts 24/7 without pay or benefits on offshore energy facilities in Australia. The robot, which is 1.8 meters tall and weighs 125 kilograms, is designed to carry out vital tasks in dangerous environments for humans both in space and on Earth.

The current testing mission in Australia is part of a partnership between NASA and Woodside Energy, an Australian energy company. The goal of the partnership is to develop advanced remote operation capabilities for Valkyrie that can be used to improve safety and efficiency in uncrewed and offshore energy facilities.

The testing mission in Australia is expected to last for several months. During that time, Valkyrie will be used to perform a variety of tasks, including inspecting equipment, making repairs, and even responding to emergencies. The data collected from the testing mission will be used to improve the design and capabilities of Valkyrie, and it could also help to pave the way for future use of robots in offshore energy operations.

The testing of Valkyrie in Australia is a significant milestone for NASA’s robotics program. It demonstrates the agency’s commitment to developing robots that can be used to safely and effectively operate in challenging environments. The success of this mission could also help to spur the development of new commercial applications for robots in the offshore energy industry.

Here are some of the benefits of using Valkyrie in offshore energy facilities:

• Increased safety: Robots can be used to perform dangerous tasks that would be too risky for humans. This could help to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities in the offshore energy industry.
• Improved efficiency: Robots can work 24/7, which could help to improve the efficiency of offshore energy operations.
• Reduced costs: Robots can help to reduce the need for human labor, which could lead to lower operating costs for offshore energy companies.

The testing of Valkyrie in Australia is a promising step forward for the use of robots in offshore energy operations. It is clear that robots have the potential to make a significant contribution to the safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of these operations. I am excited to see how the testing mission progresses and what the future holds for Valkyrie.