A Robotic Welcome at the Roque de Los Muchachos
High atop the Roque de Los Muchachos Observatory, visitors to the Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC) are greeted by a surprising sight: Gara, a luminous-faced robot with pixelated eyes and a digital smile. Though she appears as just a friendly guide, Gara represents the first visible step in a groundbreaking project to equip the GTC with near-autonomous responsiveness. According to telescope director Romano Corradi, the goal is to “give the telescope a degree of awareness, allowing it to react independently to certain events—always under human supervision.” This isn’t science fiction but the application of artificial intelligence and cyber-physical systems to one of the world’s most powerful scientific instruments.
Gara’s Dual Mission: Education and Surveillance
For now, Gara has two key roles. The first is welcoming and guiding the GTC’s 12,000+ annual visitors through the VeGa program (Gara-Guided Visit). With her clear voice and animated screen, she projects interactive videos, answers astronomy questions, and blends scientific precision with playful charm—especially captivating younger audiences. “It’s incredibly fun because no one expects a robot to explain the telescope, let alone respond in real time,” says GTC support astronomer Nieves Castro. “She adds a surprising technological twist to our tours, creating lively interactions.”
Her second mission happens behind the scenes: patrolling the facility with visible and infrared cameras to detect anomalies like overheating equipment, alerting technicians before issues escalate. Built on La Palma using a robotic base and an exterior designed by Manolo Blahnik Art School student Alicia Lorenzo, Gara is the collaborative work of the GTC’s engineers and technicians. Equipped with depth sensors for navigation, data processors, and custom-developed software, she’s more than just an add-on—she’s becoming part of the telescope itself.
The Future of Autonomous Astronomy
As Gara glides smoothly through the dome’s interior, her cheerful demeanor masks a deeper transformation. Corradi emphasizes that her development is also training engineers in robotics, integrating her into the GTC’s core functions. Soon, the telescope may autonomously handle routine tasks—like closing the dome during cloudy weather or adjusting climate controls during calima dust storms—freeing scientists to focus on what truly matters: exploring the universe. For visitors and researchers alike, Gara isn’t just a novelty; she’s a glimpse into the future of astronomy.
