Honda and Redwire partnering to develop robots for future space stations
Computer graphic showing Honda’s robot hand
attached to Redwire’s robot arm
The Japanese company Honda and the American company Redwire are now developing a partnership to use their complementary robotic products to develop robots for the future commercial space stations presently being built.
Honda today announced efforts to develop a robotics solution for future commercial space stations that could reduce the time needed for astronauts to conduct experiments and laboratory operations in space. To advance its space station robotics concept, the U.S.-based Honda space development team is engaging with experts at Redwire (NYSE:RDW), a global leader in space and defense technology solutions. The concept would combine the Honda multi-fingered robotic hand with Redwire’s STAARK robotic arm and experiment locker technology into an integrated system for research operations in orbit.
Based on the Honda press release, it is not clear if an actual partnership deal has been signed. Instead it appears both companies are working together to see if this joint collaboration makes sense. For example, both companies are sending representatives to a space conference in Turkey beginning tomorrow to “discuss potential applications for the combined robotics solution with commercial station developers and prospective industry partners.” Depending on the response they get I suspect will determine whether they go forward with this partnership.
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