ORBIT Robotics
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About ORBIT Robotics
ORBIT Robotics is developing a humanoid-style platform for routine work inside orbital habitats. In microgravity, legs provide little advantage, so the project centres locomotion and stabilisation on articulated arms that can grasp handholds, reposition the body and carry out manipulation. The robot is intended to use the same station structures and tool interfaces already available to astronauts.
The team is designing the mechanism, control system and operating concepts as an ETH Zurich Focus Project. Development includes modelling microgravity dynamics and testing arm-based movement and task execution in ground rigs that reproduce selected orbital constraints. The programme’s goal is to shift repetitive inspection, handling and maintenance away from crew time while retaining a human-compatible form for work inside spacecraft.
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2026-05-20 - ORBIT describes HELIOS as a complete four-arm humanoid prototype built for microgravity station-interior movement, stabilization and manipulation. - ETH Zurich, Zurich
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- 2026-05-20 - Product Launch - ORBIT Robotics reveals HELIOS four-armed space humanoid prototype
HELIOS uses four arms to move through station interiors, hold position and handle tasks without relying on legs in microgravity. Its tendon-driven arms place motors near the shoulders, use spools and cables to drive the joints, and incorporate a rolling-contact elbow. ORBIT describes the complete prototype as a step toward space-station helpers, beginning with cargo and inventory workflows.
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Context tags
- Space robotic manipulation - Capability - The revealed prototype is a four-arm, four-hand manipulation-focused humanoid.
- Humanoid builders - Stack Layer - HELIOS is presented as a complete humanoid robot.
- Dexterous manipulation - Capability - Four hands imply a dexterous manipulation focus.
- Research stage - Commercial Stage - Announcement describes two semesters of work, research and iteration.
- Space robotics ecosystem - Stack Layer - ORBIT Robotics is an ETH Focus Project building HELIOS and IKARUS robotic systems for orbital station work. https://www.orbitrobotics.ch/