Inchworm Robot
PrototypeActive since 2018
Modular inchworm robot for space stations and satellites. It has grapple end-effectors on both ends and 7 degrees of freedom.
- Degrees of freedom
- 7
About
GITAI began developing the Inchworm Robot as part of its early work on space robotics for orbital servicing and station tasks. The platform used a modular body with grapple end-effectors at both ends and a seven-degree-of-freedom configuration, allowing it to move by alternating attachment points in microgravity.
The robot was presented as a building block for in-orbit manipulation, inspection, and assembly rather than as a single-purpose machine. It fit GITAI’s broader effort to create robotics that can operate outside spacecraft and space stations, where human activity is costly and risky. Public information on the model’s later deployment history is limited, but the concept has remained tied to the company’s space infrastructure plans.
Specifications
Body
- Degrees of freedom
- 7
- Size
- 2 m long arm; connect two robots for longer reach
Sensing & Compute
- Tactile / force sensors
- image sensor and mechanical sensors used for verification
Safety & Market
- Safe with humans
- human-in-the-loop system for critical checkpoints; remote control interface available
- Primary market
- space stations and satellites
- Availability
- Prototype
Timeline4
- 2021-01-01 · milestone~Robot remains tied to orbital servicing plans
The design continues to be associated with station maintenance, inspection, and assembly use cases.
- 2020-01-01 · other~Seven-degree-of-freedom layout is described
GITAI describes the robot as having 7 degrees of freedom for manipulation in microgravity.
- 2019-01-01 · demo~Company presents inchworm locomotion design
The robot is shown as a dual-ended grapple platform intended to move by alternating attachment points.
- 2018-01-01 · milestone~GITAI develops Inchworm Robot concept
The modular robot appears in GITAI's early space robotics work for station and satellite tasks.
