Advanced Robotics Capabilities to be Produced Under Partnership Agreement
A partnership has been announced between PickNik Robotics and Motiv Space Systems for the development of advanced robotics capabilities for space applications. The partnership aims to advance In-Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (ISAM) capabilities through the integration of PickNik's MoveIt Studio technology for robot arm control and Motiv's xLink robot arm product line.
"Our collaboration with Motiv aims to change what's possible in future space missions."
Dr. Dave Coleman, CEO at PickNik.
Under the MOU, the two companies will jointly pursue applications in the In-Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (ISAM) domain using Motiv's hardware and PickNik's high-level robotics control software capabilities. PickNik will also provide advanced robot capabilities on Motiv's hardware, including the xLink and other robotic systems.
"Our collaboration with Motiv aims to change what's possible in future space missions, with multi-purpose robots augmenting humans in intelligent and collaborative ways previously not thought possible," said Dr. Dave Coleman, CEO at PickNik. "Together our companies seek to engage commercial space groups and government agencies to enable the next stage of robotic capabilities."
"Together, we can realize the potential of ISAM applications to revolutionize space exploration through the use of modular hardware and software, and we look forward to future collaborations and partnerships with PickNik Robotics," said Chris Thayer, President and CEO of Motiv Space Systems.
Companies have a History in Advanced Robotics Capabilities
PickNik Robotics has a ten-year heritage in advanced robotics control software and has received SBIR Phase 3 funding from NASA to develop advanced planning capabilities for robots in microgravity environments. PickNik has also developed a commercial-off-the-shelf product for supervised autonomy called MoveIt Space. Additionally, PickNik Robotics has been collaborating with NASA and various commercial space companies to lead the development of Space ROS, a flight-certified version of the Robot Operating System (ROS).
Motiv Space Systems has a decade of heritage in designing and manufacturing space systems for commercial and scientific applications, including Mars, Earth orbit, the Moon and beyond. The company is the creator and manufacturer of the xLink robot arm system, which is designed for EVA and IVA robotic applications. Motiv Space Systems, in collaboration with JPL, has also been developing the COLDArmrobotic system for operation in cryogenic temperatures down to -180C for operations in the permanently shadowed regions on the lunar surface.
(Source: PickNik Robotics news release. Images provided and from file)