As NASA prepares for long-term missions on the Moon, the agency is advancing robotic technologies that could handle routine tasks, allowing astronauts to focus more on scientific research and exploration.
To support this effort, NASA has collaborated with PickNik, a robotics company based in Boulder, Colorado, to develop smarter robotic systems capable of performing complex operations independently.
PickNik recently worked with Shaun Azimi, who leads the Dexterous Robotics team at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, along with other agency roboticists. Together, they tested software that enabled a robotic arm to identify a spacecraft hatch, turn the latch, grasp the handle, and open the door. The robotic system was also able to transfer cargo bags between the hatch and a storage bin.
The project was conducted at NASA Johnson’s Integrated Mobile Evaluation Testbed for Robotics Operations and received support through NASA’s Small Business Innovation Research program.
At the center of the collaboration is MoveIt Pro, PickNik’s robotic software platform. Developed and refined with support from early government investments, the software was commercially launched in 2023 and has since gained adoption across multiple industries.
Automaker BMW is using MoveIt Pro on robotic assembly lines, while Lightspeed uses the platform to program large robotic arms that manufacture modular panels for affordable housing construction. Hivebotics has also integrated the software into its cleaning robot solutions to automate key functions.
According to Ezra Brooks, Principal Software Engineer at PickNik, NASA’s early support played a crucial role in the company’s development. He noted that building advanced robotic software requires years of research and development, and NASA helped lay the foundation for much of that work.
The collaboration highlights how technologies developed for space exploration can create practical applications on Earth. As NASA continues to push the boundaries of robotics for future Moon and deep-space missions, these innovations are also helping industries improve automation, efficiency, and productivity.
For 50 years, NASA has highlighted the real-world impact of space technologies through its Spinoff publication, showcasing how innovations created for space continue to benefit people and businesses around the world.
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