Wondering what those two Nexus S units were doing aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis on the final mission for NASA’s human-manned program? Google gathered up the souls who wanted to employ the Nexus S for the mission (and future uses) and had them talk about why they chose the Nexus S and what they’d use it for.
NASA is using Nexus S phones to upgrade a trio of volleyball-sized SPHERES (Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites), originally developed by MIT. The phones help the robotic satellites perform tasks the astronauts used to do, like recording sensor data and capturing video footage. In the future, the phones will control and maneuver the SPHERES using the IOIO board and possibly the Android Open Accessory Development Kit (ADK).
So it looks like Google’s Open Accessory move is aiming to improve lives for more than just consumers and hobbyists. One can only imagine what they’ll be able to do with the Nexus Prime when it comes out. Anywyay, the video’s above if you were curious yourself. [Google]