Project Stats
Client:
NASA
Status:
In Progress
- 1.0 Arm assembly testing efforts completed
- Dynamometer testing completed
- 1.5 BMG joint actuator testing complete
- Preparing for full-system vibration and TVAC testing
Project Overview:
Robotic arm for use in extremely cold environments
Cold Operable Lunar Deployable Arm (COLDArm)
The Cold Operable Lunar Deployable Arm (COLDArm) is a collaborative effort between NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and Motiv. It will be capable of operating in cryogenic environments – down to -180°C. Not only will the COLDArm be capable of operating at such low temperatures, but Motiv is designing the COLDArm to do so without a heating source. This is all in an effort to conserve energy, an extremely precious resource in space.
At first, the COLDArm will include a scoop at the end, somewhat like the previous Mars landers, for evaluating regolith soil around the robot. The end game would be to have a selection of instruments and tools, known as end effectors. These could automatically be replaced by the robotic arm. Motiv and JPL are designing the robotic arm to be adaptable to fit a wide variety of applications.
