Intelligent 'Butler' on the Space Station

The core module of the Tiangong space station is equipped with an intelligent "steward" - a large robotic arm, consisting of seven joints, two end effectors, two hand eye cameras, two arm rods, two elbow cameras, and a central controller. Among them, the seven joints that rotate independently are designed with multiple degrees of freedom, reducing the disturbance force generated by the base and allowing the end effector to be sent to the designated position. The robotic arm can perform tasks such as space station module repositioning and auxiliary docking, hovering spacecraft capture and auxiliary docking, assisting astronauts in extravehicular activities, and various load handling outside the cabin.

The unit is designed for unsupervised public use: controls are recessed or shielded, moving parts are enclosed, and the interface is operable by a child of about six with no instruction. Where a screen is used, the language can be switched without changing the hardware, and the content can be replaced on site.

Space robots, as a typical intelligent operating system, are gradually changing the traditional modes of space transportation, in orbit construction, in orbit maintenance, and planetary exploration. They are one of the important enabling means for future unmanned and manned space missions. In manned space exploration activities, space robots serve as explorers before manned missions, assistants during manned missions, and maintainers after manned missions; In unmanned space exploration activities, robots can effectively expand the range of human activities and control.