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Orbit Robotics unveils four-armed Helios robot for orbital stations
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Briefly Editorial Team

Orbit Robotics unveils four-armed Helios robot for orbital stations

TL;DR

  • •Helios is a four-armed robot designed for space operations
  • •Employs a cable-driven mechanism instead of traditional motors
  • •Aims to reduce astronaut workload and maintenance time

Why it matters

Automating routine tasks on orbital stations could save up to $140,000 per hour of astronaut labor, making Helios an economically significant solution for future space missions.

Technical Features of Helios

The Helios robot, developed by Swiss firm Orbit Robotics, is a four-armed system designed for microgravity environments. Unlike traditional two-armed robots, Helios uses four limbs to simultaneously stabilize and manipulate objects. This allows it to fix its position with two limbs while performing operations with the remaining two, such as handling cargo, tools, or equipment.

Functionality in Microgravity

The robot's design incorporates a cable-driven (tethered) force transmission system, where motors are positioned closer to the body and movement is transferred via cables and pulleys. This reduces the weight of moving parts while maintaining mobility. A rolling elbow joint ensures smooth, controlled movements, which is critical in microgravity where abrupt motions can cause orientation loss.

Economic Impact of Automation

Developers estimate that up to 35% of crew time on orbit is spent on system maintenance, with unloading a single cargo module taking up to 50 hours. At a cost of $140,000 per hour of astronaut labor, automating these tasks through Helios is seen as an economically viable solution. The robot can reduce crew workload and cut the time required for station maintenance.