Space-Rated Modular Robotic Building Blocks

HEBI Robotics proposes a robotic development technology that will lay the groundwork for cost effective, rapid, and practical development of robust and versatile space-rated robot systems. This Phase I project will involve research and development that will lay the foundation for a Phase II development project culminating in space-rated modular robotic building blocks that are compatible with the HEBI Robotics platform for robot development. Specifically, this Phase I project involves : Research of initial use cases for space-rated robots and calculate desired range of capabilities and specifications (torque, speed, mass, etc.). Research of specific challenges and considerations for a robot system to be capable of performing in space (extreme temperatures, exposure to radiation, etc.). Research of components and design considerations that will mitigate those challenges. Initial design and prototyping of space-rated modular smart robotic actuators. Planning for further development, presumably a Phase II SBIR project, to produce initial functional prototype building blocks and use the building blocks to create an initial space-rated robot system. Spun off from the Robotics Institute at Carnegie Mellon University in 2014, HEBI Robotics produces an agile platform for robotics development - modular robot building blocks and software tools that dramatically reduce the time and effort required to develop robust robot systems. Hardware components include a growing line-up of smart robotic actuation hardware plus batteries, electronics, and accessories. Software tools include APIs for common development platforms including ROS, Python, MATLAB and C++ as well as GUI configuration and diagnostic tools and programmable user interfaces. Robots that would be cost prohibitive or infeasible to develop with conventional tools are made practical by the HEBI platform.

The value generated by this project directly addresses numerous objectives outlined in NASA SBIR Subtopic: Z5.09 Robotic Hardware for In-Space Manipulation. As noted in the subtopic introduction, “commercial availability, cost-effectiveness, environmental survivability, and performance capability of existing flight-worthy robotic manipulation hardware is limited…, and novel advancements in these areas will significantly impact the degree to which robotics can be leveraged by NASA and commercial entities in future space operations”. Development of HEBI space-rated modular robotic building blocks will fill a huge gap in commercially available space-rated robot development tools, and ultimately flight-ready robot systems. Along with the NASA objectives, a market segment has been recently dedicated to off-planet manufacturing: In-Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (ISAM). Numerous ISAM technology areas of interest outlined in the subtopic would be addressed by the output of this project. Most notably: This development would enable modularity in robotics that would surpass the capabilities of cutting edge terrestrial robot systems, and would surpass by leaps and bounds any current space-rated robot technology. HEBI’s approach to actuation historically has resulted in lightweight, low-volume and low-power actuation solutions. This project would be approached in the same way, with one objective being to address this area of interest. HEBI’s approach facilitates ease of integration between HEBI systems and third party robot tools, sensors, tooling, etc. This project would be approached with the same end in mind. This project would enable standard components (that may be considered “mass produced” relative to current options) that could be used for a variety of short duration applications. Furthermore, those components could be re-used in different robots from one mission to the next. Over the past four years HEBI’s industrial focus has been to use the HEBI actuators and software tools (i.e. the HEBI platform) to create automation systems for next generation applications in the field, starting with industrial inspections and maintenance. To this end, HEBI has conducted a number of research and development projects for industrial customers including: A Phase II SBIR for the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center to develop a field-reconfigurable robotic system to aid in the inspection and maintenance of nuclear missile silos. A collaboration with an industrial customer in the nuclear industry to develop a pipe repair robot. The robot navigates complex pipe systems and delivers / manipulates a tooling mechanism that repairs the pipe from within. This system is scheduled for deployment in late 2024. It should be noted that the HEBI team has successfully commercialized innovative robotics solutions since 2016. We are well positioned to commercialize the output of this project given our trusted brand, name recognition, and industrial collaborators. HEBI currently develops robot solutions for customers in a variety of industries, including oil and gas, chemical, nuclear power, DoD, and even warehousing & logistics. It is quite possible that some of the research and development for space-rated robotics will be applicable to challenging terrestrial workspaces as well (such as highly radioactive workspaces and workspaces with extreme temperatures). Given our broad market reach and breadth of capabilities, we do not need to rely on high volumes of any one type of robot or demand by any one industry. This is very important in the very challenging business of robotics. The value generated by this project directly addresses numerous objectives outlined in NASA SBIR Subtopic: Z5.09 Robotic Hardware for In-Space Manipulation.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 1) — 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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