Startup GITAI plans to launch an autonomous robo-arm on the ISS

GITAI plans to send a robotic arm called GITAI S1 to the ISS. The robot arm will work onboard the Nanoracks Bishop airlock module, internetua writes.

The GITAI S1 system is essentially a robotic arm with 8 degrees of freedom. It contains embedded sensing and computing systems. The arm can be wall-mounted and has a range of 1 meter. The robotic arm will have access to the control panel and a small assembly area to complete tasks inside the ship. It will also perform some tasks in space, such as attaching solar panels.

GITAI notes that “all operations performed by the GITAI S1 robotic arm will be autonomous”. In early versions of the GITAI apparatus, the robot was controlled by a human. As explained in the company, in the course of recent developments, GITAI has focused on the autonomous operation of robots.

In an environment with minimal communication latency, it would be better to control the robot using remote operations. However, in an environment where latency is becoming noticeable, it would be more efficient to use a combination of autonomy and remote operations depending on the task at hand, said Sho Nakanose, Founder and CEO of GITAI.

Nakanose claims the mission will help GITAI “gain the qualifications and experience necessary to prepare the robot for operation on the ISS”. The company has already received orders for research and development of space robots from a private company.

NanoRacks plans to launch the Bishop module on SpaceX CRS-21 in November. S1 will launch separately in 2021.