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.