General Motors has a long-standing tradition of partnering with other leaders in engineering and innovation to make the world a better place. Now some of its out-of-this world accomplishments are finding a place in the here and now.

In the 1960s, GM teamed up with NASA to help create the Lunar Rover. It remains the first and only car ever driven by man on the moon. At the time they were pushing the envelope of creativity to develop, design, and test the Lunar Rover. Engineers from GM helped create the revolutionary electric motor drive system, suspension, mesh wire wheels and a unique drive controller adapted for lunar gloves.

Now that revolutionary technology is finding its place in electric vehicles being introduced today here on earth. The Lunar Rover had a price tag of $38 million, but paved the way for current long-range, affordable electric vehicles that do not require a space suit to operate.

GM partnership resumed its partnership with NASA when they wanted to create a robot to work side by side with astronauts on the International Space Station. GM also had a similar interest in creating robots that could assist people in doing difficult or dirty tasks alongside operators on the factory floor. A team of GM robotics and software engineers spent three years at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas to create “Robonaut 2.”

Robonaut 2 was sent to the International Space Station in 2011 with the plan to be remotely controlled to conduct repairs outside the space station. The technology gained from this has been used to create robots now on the factory floor and to develop the “RoboGlove”. The RoboGlove may have potential uses in GM factories and should soon be used in rehabilitation for people who need help with grasp strength and those living with a range of physical disabilities.

Who Knew? – GM engineering and innovation is helping to make the world a better place. Assisting with the realization of affordable electric vehicles and making enhancements in manufacturing and helping to provide independence from physical disabilities. Know who else is making the world a better place? CadillacPartsPeople.com is making it easy to get genuine Cadillac accessories and Cadillac parts at low prices. Checkout the online Cadillac accessories catalog offering secure online shopping, and fast affordable shipping from an authorized dealer.