PIAP Space has announced its participation in the ESA project Smart Skin for Exploration Cobots, which aims to develop an advanced protective cover for robotic arms intended for lunar and Martian missions, as well as orbital operations. As part of the project, the company is contributing its expertise in space robotics and providing robotic arms developed for ESA, around which the new smart skin technology is being designed.
Future space exploration will increasingly rely on robots as a primary workforce. This, however, requires them to be better prepared for operation in the extreme environments of the Moon, Mars and orbital space, where they must function under conditions involving abrasive dust, intense solar radiation and temperatures ranging from minus 150°C to plus 120°C.
To address this challenge, the European Space Agency has entrusted a consortium led by the Danish Technological Institute with the development of a new-generation protective cover for robotic arms. The project, called Smart Skin for Exploration Cobots, aims to advance the technology to a level that will allow it to be demonstrated under conditions similar to those found in space.
“The potential of robots in space exploration is enormous. They can support activities ranging from extracting resources on the Moon to servicing satellites in orbit and actively removing space debris. However, this requires robots to be exceptionally durable and capable of autonomous work or safe cooperation with humans,” said Christian Dalsgaard, Senior Consultant at DTI.
The smart skin technology is being designed so that it can be adapted to various robotic arms, both for future lunar and Martian missions and for orbital operations. Its foundation is a 3D-printed support structure that can be mounted on a robotic arm. It serves as a platform integrating four main elements: a thermal and dust protection layer shielding against extreme temperature fluctuations and penetration by abrasive dust; flexible power and data transmission cables; sensors capable of detecting and preventing collisions; and solutions supporting human-machine interaction.
3D printing technology was selected because of the design freedom it offers. In this project, however, it will be used in a way that goes beyond existing standards, with entirely new approaches to design and material selection. Traditionally, Multi-Layer Insulation materials are used on all spacecraft, providing high-performance thermal protection for the entire structure or individual instruments. These are static solutions, however, and are not used in moving components. Developing a similar type of thermal insulation for moving elements is far more demanding, but at the same time opens up broad opportunities for future applications in robotic systems.
“The use of an advanced protective system may make it possible to build robotic arms using commercially available components. This could create a cost-effective way to deliver new solutions for customers operating across many areas of the space sector — from deep-space missions and orbital servicing to the colonisation of the Moon. At Admatis, we support all activities that give Europe a competitive advantage, and this project is fully aligned with our strategy,” said Tamás Bárczy, CEO of Admatis.
“Participation in the Smart Skin for Exploration Cobots project is a very valuable experience for us, as it combines the expertise PIAP Space has been developing for years in space robotics with new technologies for protecting and interacting with robotic systems. It is also confirmation of the quality of the solutions we develop and of the trust European partners place in PIAP Space technologies created for future ESA missions,” said Kamil Grassmann, CTO of PIAP Space.
PIAP Space’s TITAN robotic arm
Although smart skin technology is being developed with the unique challenges of the space environment in mind, some of its solutions may also find applications in other industrial sectors in the future.
“We see great potential for this technology in industrial applications, particularly where robots work in extreme conditions. Metal foundries are a good example, where dust and high temperatures negatively affect equipment performance. The technology we are developing could potentially extend the lifetime of key equipment and reduce maintenance costs,” explained Christian Dalsgaard.
The project has a budget of EUR 1.65 million and will last 24 months. The consortium builds on a previously completed and successful pilot phase, bringing together leading European space companies and specialists from related fields. DTI is responsible for coordinating activities and contributes expertise in robotics, functional materials and industrial 3D printing. Admatis from Hungary is developing the thermal protection system, while PIAP Space from Poland and Redwire Space Europe from Luxembourg are providing their expertise and robotic arms — the same systems currently being developed for future ESA lunar missions. As a result, the smart skin technology is being designed from the outset with the specific systems it is intended to protect in mind.
