What is Humanoid Vyommitra?

Woman Robot Astronaut ‘Vyommitra’ will fly into space ahead of ISRO’s ambitious ‘Gaganyaan’ mission, which will be India’s first human-manned space flight carrying Indian astronauts into space. Vyommitra, a name derived from the Sanskrit words “Vyoma” meaning “space” and “Mitra” meaning “friend,” encapsulates the essence of this remarkable creation by ISRO’s Inertial Systems Unit (IISU) in Vattiyoorkavu, Kerala. While Vyommitra lacks functional legs, its semi-humanoid design includes a robotic torso, head, and two arms, giving it a human-like appearance. This unique design allows Vyommitra to float in microgravity, interact with astronauts, and engage with the Gaganyaan spacecraft.This female robot astronaut is equipped with the capability to monitor module parameters, issue alerts, and execute life support operations. It can perform tasks such as operating six panels and responding to queries.Beyond its technical functions, it also offers emotional support to astronauts, serving as a companion during the stressful and critical phases of space travel.Vyommitra joins a select group of humanoid robots sent to low Earth orbit by countries like the USA, Russia, and Japan. NASA’s Robonaut 2, Russia’s FEDOR, and Japan’s Kirobo are just a few examples of robots that have helped astronauts in various tasks.