GITAI shares challenges of building a robotic workforce in space

By Brianna Wessling | August 22, 2024

Some of the most promising tasks for robots are those that humans cannot safely perform. They include decommissioning nuclear plants, exploring the ocean’s depths, and gathering information on other planets and moons. GITAI USA Inc., which is developing systems to support space exploration, will be among the innovators to see at RoboBusiness this October. 

The space robotics market was estimated to be worth $4.4 billion in 2022. It will experience a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.8% to 2030, predicted Grand View Research. This leaves ample opportunity for robotics developers. 

GITAI has developed the S2 dual-armed robot, which was part of missions earlier this year aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The Torrance, Calif-based company‘s system was mounted on the Nanorack Bishop Airlock to conduct an external demonstration of in-space servicing, assembling, and manufacturing (ISAM).

GITAI’s previous demonstration onboard the ISS involved its S1 one-armed robot. It was able to execute two tasks: assembling structures and panels for in-space assembly (ISA), and operating switches and cables for intravehicular activity (IVA). 

The company’s other offerings include its Inchworm lunar robot. The robotic arm has grapple end effectors on both ends. The proprietary technology allows users to connect various tools to the robot to perform multiple tasks. It also allows the arm to move autonomously.

In addition, GITAI has developed a Lunar Rover, which can aid in constructing solar panels, communication antennas, and habitat modules. The company builds all of its technology with components completely in house so that it can commercialize those components in the future.

Learn how to build a robotic workforce in space

At RoboBusiness 2024, Dr. Satoshi Kitano, vice president of hardware Engineering at GITAI, will present a session on the “Challenges in Building a Robotic Workforce in Space.” He will cover the robotics technologies that are transforming our capabilities to not only reach new planets but also to support human activity while we are there.

Kitano will take a deep dive into the state of the space labor industry and highlight the interesting challenges that inhibit our progress toward rapidly expanding into the final frontier. He will also examine what a labor-abundant space industry would look like with robotics at its center.

Dedicated to developing robots for extreme environments, Kitano has a Ph.D. in mechanical and aerospace engineering from the Tokyo Institute of Technology. He previously served as an executive officer at industrial robotics company HiBot.

As lead mechanical designer and systems engineer at GITAI, Kitano spearheaded the company’s first extravehicular robotics project, S2.

Hear from GITAI and more at RoboBusiness

RoboBusiness is scheduled for Oct. 16 and 17 in Santa Clara, Calif. The event will feature more than 60 speakers, over 100 exhibitors and demonstrations on the expo floor, 10+ hours of dedicated networking time, the Pitchfire Robotics Startup Competition, and more.

Thousands of robotics experts from around the world will convene at the event. Kitano’s talk will take place at 12:00 p.m. PT on the second day of the show. 

In addition to enabling tech and robotics innovation, RoboBusiness 2024 focuses on investments and business topics related to running a robotics company. Keynote talks at the event include:

• Rodney Brooks, co-founder and chief technology officer at Robust AI
• Sergey Levine, co-founder of Physical Intelligence and an associate professor at UC Berkeley
• Claire Delaunay, the CTO at farm-ng
• Torrey Smith, the co-founder and CEO of Endiatx

The show will also include a keynote panel on “Driving the Future of Robotics Innovation,” featuring:

• Amit Goel, head of robotics at edge AI ecosystem at NVIDIA
• John Bubnikovich, president of ABB Robotics US
• Eric Truebenbach, managing director of Teradyne Robotics Ventures
• Joan-Wilhelm Schwarze, a senior global innovation manager at DHL