NASA humanoid built for Mars research returns to US after a decade

NASA’s humanoid robot Valkyrie, developed for future Mars missions, is returning to the United States after a decade of research at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. Standing 1.8 meters tall and weighing 125 kilograms, Valkyrie is one of only three prototypes worldwide. Initially delivered in 2016, the robot was designed to perform early deployment and maintenance tasks on Mars before astronauts arrive. Over the past ten years, researchers enhanced Valkyrie’s capabilities with artificial intelligence and machine learning, improving its walking stability, manipulation skills, and sensor-based perception to navigate complex environments and adapt to changing conditions. The collaboration with the University of Edinburgh was significant because humanoid robots were scarce and not commercially available at the time. Valkyrie’s presence helped advance fundamental research in mobility, stability, and human-robot interaction, contributing to Edinburgh’s reputation as a robotics innovation hub. The research influenced modern robotics, including the development of Apptronik’s Apollo robot, which is transitioning humanoids