Google’s new three dimensional sensing smartphones, part of Project Tango, are going to be used as the computers for NASA robots on board the International Space Station.

Google’s new three dimensional sensing smartphones, part of Project Tango, are going to be used as the computers for NASA robots on board the International Space Station.

Known by their acronym SPHERES, the Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites will take over some daily chores for astronauts, along with performing some of the more dangerous tasks outside of the spacecraft.

SPHERES robots can move in any direction at an inch per second using small blasts of CO2, and thanks to the motion-tracking camera and infrared depth sensor, the SPHERES create an accurate 3D map of the space they are navigating through.

Smart SPHERES project manager Chris Provencher is quoted as saying: "This type of capability is exactly what we need for a robot that's going to do tasks anywhere inside the space station. It has to have a very robust navigation system."

A cargo spacecraft scheduled for a July 11th launch will carry the new Google smartphone to the International Space Station.