Dust Tolerant Electropermanent Magnetic Tool Interface

With the advancement of ever more capable robotic exploration of extraterrestrial bodies comes the need for low-power, low mass, and robust in-situ tools and manipulators. The current state-of-the-art used on robotic landers relies on large, bulky, and monolithic instrumentation turrets, consuming a significant proportion of mass budget which is tightly constrained for extraterrestrial missions such as Mars. Altius Space Machines has developed a novel electropermanent magnet (EPM) gripping technology that can be integrated into a modular, dust-tolerant end-effector or tool-changer assembly. These switchable magnets unlock a significant new design envelope and offer numerous advantages over mechanical connectors, including: Dust-Tolerant Hermetic Design: EPM mating surfaces require no exposed moving electrical or mechanical parts on either side of the interface High Reliability: The EPM Tool Changer has dramatically fewer moving parts than traditional mechanical tool changers, eliminating many potential failure modes Low Actuation Power: The EPM magnetic latching system only consumers power (<5W) when the magnet is switching states, enabling indefinite holding without requiring additional power Lightweight/Compact: With no need for complex mechanical latching systems, the proposed tool changer can be dramatically lighter and simpler than traditional mechanical solutions Tight Reach Capability: The compact EPM tool changer enables insertion of sampling tools or sensors into much tighter geometric areas than would be possible with a turret or mechanical tool changer design Built-in Mechanical Fusing: Because the connection force is provided magnetically, it is possible to design the tool changer such that if a specified torque or force limit is exceeded, the tool separates non-catastrophically from the tool changer, without damaging the robot arm Phase I efforts have produced a TRL 4 tool-changer demonstrator, and the technology is ready for more advanced development.

Altius' EPM Tool-changer is best suited for use on robotic extraterrestrial missions, where a complex and heavy instrumentation turret can be replaced with a modular tool end-effector. This includes: Lunar landers and rovers, including missions under the CLPS plan Future Mars rovers, including Mars Sample Return missions Rovers or landers designed for other dusty planetary and asteroidal bodies

Several terrestrial applications exist for Altius' EPM tool changer, including: Dirty environment robotic tool changers, such as mining, oil & gas, or food service automation Tool changer for underwater ROVs Tool changer for robotic manipulators on commercial lunar landers or rovers Tool changer for in-Space Assembly (iSA), manufacturing, or servicing spacecraft

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 5) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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