What is Project Cimon? The AI astronaut being tested aboard the Space Station
As missions become longer and more complex, the demands on astronauts rise, and Project Cimon hopes to ease those pressures.Cimon is designed to float freely inside the ISS, helping crew members with a range of tasks. One of its key features is hands-free voice control: astronauts can ask Cimon for documents, tutorials, or procedures, keeping both hands free for maintenance or scientific experiments.
Astronaut Takuya Onishi preps the CIMON AI robot. (Photo: Nasa)
For example, if an astronaut is repairing equipment or running an experiment, Cimon can display step-by-step instructions or videos right in their field of view, making processes smoother and reducing mistakes.Additionally, Cimon doubles as a mobile camera, enabling real-time or recorded video documentation of complex scientific procedures. This function streamlines data collection and can be analysed by ground-based teams or reviewed by astronauts themselves.Skill training is another area where Cimon shows promise. If a crew member needs a refresher on a procedural skill — such as solving a Rubik's Cube, a benchmark task — Cimon can play video tutorials, respond to voice commands to pause or rewind, and support learning at the astronaut's pace.The project's ultimate goal is to reduce workload, facilitate better time management, and decrease stress during challenging missions, freeing up astronauts for rest. Observations from Cimon's deployment will guide the future of AI assistants in both space and terrestrial settings, including education, industrial automation, medicine, and healthcare.As more deep space missions loom on humanity's horizon, AI companions like Cimon may become indispensable crewmates, making the final frontier a little more manageable — and perhaps, more enjoyable.- Ends
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