Clockwise from prime left: HEBI’s T-Sequence, R-Sequence, and H-Sequence actuators. | Supply: HEBI Robotics
HEBI Robotics at this time stated it has obtained a brand new NASA Small Enterprise Innovation Analysis (SBIR) Section I contract. With the contract, HEBI will fast-track its miniaturized excessive torque density modular actuators for SmallSats and difficult environments.
“With area changing into more and more commercialized, there may be actual demand for inexpensive, versatile, and scalable mass-production of robotic techniques that may perform in tough environments,” stated Andrew Willig, HEBI’s director of {hardware}. “We’re seeking to convey the worth level down on rugged {hardware} with out compromising the reliability {that a} vital business comparable to aerospace depends on.”
NASA desires extra flexibility in harsh environments
On this newest SBIR award to HEBI Robotics, NASA known as for analysis into proposed miniaturized actuators appropriate for rugged purposes. The award said that these actuators are of curiosity to NASA to be used in CubeSats and different space-limited environments the place conventional manipulation {hardware} lacks flexibility.
The Section I award is slated to run by way of December 2026. It provides HEBI a chance to discover the actuation commerce area for packaging excessive torque density motor and gearbox combos.
The Pittsburgh-based firm stated it intends to mix them in a small, mission-ready kind issue. This is able to bridge the hole between cheap, low-performance pastime servos and dear, custom-designed area robotics techniques, it asserted.
Noting that this Section I award was solely a part of HEBI’s roadmap, Willig stated the corporate additionally plans to proceed growing its current actuation {hardware}.
“House is tough, however the classes apply right here on earth as properly,” Willig stated. “Making techniques which are straightforward to make use of and rugged means these actuators are of curiosity not simply to NASA however to anybody on the lookout for modular actuation {hardware} they’ll deploy in tough and harmful environments within the subject.”
HEBI grows its relationship with NASA
HEBI has labored with NASA with tasks comparable to this ‘Superball’ cell robotic made with HEBI actuators. | Supply: HEBI Robotics
Earlier this 12 months, HEBI earned a Section II SBIR contract from NASA to develop and check actuation {hardware} designed to function in harsh area environments. The 2-year, $850,000 mission contains constructing management electronics that work with the HEBI Robotics platform and third-party techniques.
NASA stated it desires to hurry up the event of flight-ready actuation know-how for low Earth orbit (LEO) and geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO) missions.
HEBI Robotics stated it it offers versatile modulators for constructing {custom} robots rapidly and reliably. It offers “Lego-like” modular actuation {hardware} with software program designed to be intuitive for analysis labs and industrial groups worldwide.
The Carnegie Mellon College spinout stated its know-how can speed up growth and help sensible automation in difficult environments. For example, the corporate final 12 months developed modular constructing blocks for NASA.
HEBI received a 2025 RBR50 Robotics Innovation Award for its “inchworm” household of robots.
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