Long Range Navigation Capabilities for Autonomous Mobile Manipulation

Autonomous mobile robotics are highly important to lunar surface exploration and development; both to prepare for the arrival of astronauts and as a major enabler of a sustained presence on the surface. Historically, robotic usage necessitated teleoperation or more localized command and control. While this may have been useful for early applications, the Cislunar communication presents unique challenges - low data bandwidth, communications latency, and communications dropout. This motivates a more autonomous approach to enable robots to reliably perform more sophisticated and mission critical tasks. In Phase I we integrated an established navigation framework into our robotic runtime engine and developer platform, MoveIt Pro. We successfully utilized navigation algorithms developed for terrestrial applications to perform semi-autonomous robotic navigation tasks in simulation. We will build upon this work in Phase II to develop our own advanced navigation algorithms that go beyond terrestrial needs and meet the unique challenges of the lunar environment. Through this Phase II we will expand MoveIt Pro to include a tested and validated algorithm suite capable of supporting real-time navigation on low-power compute devices, with broad applicability to future lunar and planetary exploration missions. PickNik’s MoveIt product line is multi-use and has had extensive deployments for terrestrial markets such as oil & gas, warehouse logistics, agriculture, healthcare, food preparation, construction, and advanced manufacturing. In the space industry, we are targeting various applications of robot arms and mobile manipulators from Intra Vehicular Robotics (IVR) needs, to In-Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (ISAM) applications.

The cornerstone of this proposal is an innovation that combines advanced robotic arm control with mobile base navigational capabilities to support mobile manipulation robots. The Artemis program will require fully and semi-autonomous Lunar Terrain Vehicles (LTV) and Pressurized Rovers (PR) to travel long distances and perform tasks with and without local astronaut support. The technology we are developing under this proposal will be ideal for lunar and planetary exploration and development, but also incredibly useful for IVR. By increasing safety and confidence in autonomous robotic systems, we will develop capabilities that can be utilized feet away from astronauts as well as millions of miles away from ground operators. The work to support rover robotic systems will be useful for an array of complex tasks including lunar construction and ISRU. The technology PickNik is developing as part of this proposal will be useful for all groups working on establishing a long-term lunar presence. We will be targeting companies who are a part of the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative. PickNik has existing relationships with CLPS companies Astrobotic, Redwire, and Blue Origin. Additionally, By adding this technology to our software platform, MoveIt Pro, we are building a more capable and robust product. MoveIt Pro is valuable for many areas of space robotics such as Commercial LEO Destinations (CLD), In-Space Servicing and Manufacturing (ISAM), and Active Debris Removal (ADR). Key potential customers in the space industry include Axiom Space (CLD), Sierra Space (satellite servicing and CLDs), Blue Origin (satellite servicing), Lockheed (satellite servicing), Northrop Grumman (satellite servicing), Vast Space (CLD), Gravitics (CLD), Think Orbital (CLD), MDA (space arms), Maxar (space arms), Motiv (space arms), Redwire (space arms), and Arkisys (space arms). The efforts to support mobile base and multi-arm robotic systems will prove valuable for a diverse range of complex tasks beyond space for a number of uses – bomb disposal, for example. We have established regular partnerships with major tech firms for terrestrial applications. Our collaborative efforts extend to renowned companies such as Google, Amazon, Hyundai, Johnson & Johnson, Nabors, TechnipFMC, Locus, and Nauticus Robotics. We see all of these existing customers and new ones as taking full advantage of the technology created with this proposal in both known and as-yet-unknown ways.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.