Danish institute to lead development of protective gear for space robots

A Danish research institute will head an international project to develop protective equipment for robots operating in extreme space conditions, the European Space Agency (ESA) has announced.

The Technological Institute of Denmark will coordinate efforts to create a “protective cover for robotic arms” designed to withstand harsh environments on the Moon, Mars, and in orbit, the institute stated in a press release. The technology, dubbed “smart skin,” must endure temperature swings from -150°C to +120°C, intense radiation, and abrasive lunar dust while remaining flexible enough to fit various robotic systems.

According to the institute, the project aims to produce a lattice structure embedded with collision-avoidance sensors. The gear will support ESA’s upcoming lunar missions as well as orbital operations, ultimately enabling wider use of robots in space exploration.

Mads Rossen Madsen, a robotics specialist at the institute, emphasized the “enormous potential” for robots in space, from mining lunar resources to maintaining space stations. “For robots to take on these tasks, they must be extremely robust and capable of operating autonomously in conditions impossible for humans,” he said.

Founded in 1906, the Technological Institute of Denmark is an independent, non-profit research organization focused on advancing technological innovation.