It is the objective of this activity to develop a new combined human arm and hand exoskeleton system. The exoskeleton system allows commanding dexterous robotic arms and hands with force reflection. The exoskeleton system subject of this development is intended to be used both in-orbit and on-ground. The design of the exoskeleton will be an evolution of the ESA design and prototype heritage.

The activity shall develop three prototypes of the exoskeleton system, one to be qualified for usage inside the International Space Station and one to be up-loaded as flight model to the international space station. The third model will be a ground reference model. The test campaign of the system can be undertaken as an agency furnished item. The activity shall develop a full mechatronic system, including all material to package and transport the system to orbit, control electronics and computers. The focus will be on development of a robust mechatronic system of the exoskeleton arm, an interface back-pack including minimum footprint computer and distributed motor control electronics connected by a high-speed bus system. All electrical components can be based as much as possible on Commercial Off-the-Shelf items, however, development effort shall also focus on robustifying the overall system against external radiation effects (single event effects), e.g. by external protection circuitry ensuring system safety.The target application of this activity is to the in-orbit demonstration of haptic and telerobotic technologies from ISS. The activity will start with a relatively mature level of the system design, based on inputs to be provided by ESA.