The partners have been working on a successor that should build on the lessons learned from the first-generation robot. The new CIMON will have a “more robust” computer, better mics, improved flight control and a more conversational system that recognizes speech, determines intent and includes a call history. It’s expected to reach the ISS in December for further tests.

The station is quickly becoming a hub for robotics for multiple countries. The US recently sent its Astrobee cube robot for tests, while Russia just sent the humanoid Fyodor robot into orbit. Multiple major space agencies see robot helpers as vital for a future when astronauts will spend longer periods away from Earth, and they each have different ideas as to how to alleviate burdens and let crews focus on their missions.

At the same time, Uber is planning to bring its electric JUMP bicycles to cities across Europe. As we saw in San Francisco, the bike service can cut into car rides. But Uber doesn’t seem concerned that the added transport options will deter ridesharing customers. “This is central to Uber’s efforts to reduce private car ownership, clean up London’s air and make the city a healthier place to live,” the company said in a press release.

In January, Uber brought a similar public transportation feature to its app in Denver. We were told then that the company was partnering with other agencies and making it easier to integrate public transit info. There’s a good chance London and Denver are just two of several cities where Uber will attempt to become an all-encompassing transportation app.

The scientists can tweak the intensity of the centrifugal force as well as decide whether to spin around a person’s head or chest, but it’s not clear just what will work. That’s partly what the experiment is for — they’ll have a better sense of what gravitational effects would be necessary to prevent muscles from weakening.

Whatever the conclusions, you probably won’t see 2001-style rotating habitats any time soon. You’re likely to see something resulting from studies like this, however. If humanity is going to embark on trips to Mars or send more than a handful of people into orbit for extended periods, it will likely want some kind of simulated gravity to maintain the fitness of future spacefarers.