Robot Talk · 11 Apr 2025 · 34m · Episode 117
Jeremy Hadall, robotics development lead at the Satellite Applications Catapult, explains the ISAM facility's mission to enable in-orbit servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (ISAM) to address space debris and sustainability. He details the use of modified off-the-shelf KUKA and Universal Robots, along with gravity offload systems and Nvidia Omniverse simulation, to test complex orbital interactions on Earth. Hadall argues that future space robots must prioritize modularity and high autonomy to handle communication latency and operate without constant human oversight, while also critiquing the industry's focus on humanoids over task-specific designs.
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PrototypingNvidia Omniverse
The team uses Nvidia Omniverse to simulate robotic assembly and servicing tasks, allowing them to run multiple training routines and tests in a virtual environment before committing to physical hardware.
“we do a lot of work. In simulation, um, using Nvidia Omnivorse, uh, and ROS, simply because when we get to doing testing, we want to know what these things are likely to do.”
Speaker 2 · Hear it at 10:05
Prototypingdeep reinforcement learning
The team applies deep reinforcement learning to smaller off-the-shelf robots to develop autonomous assembly tasks for in-orbit servicing where no human assistance is available.
“And because they're universal robots. So we can do lots of things with the control system. So we're trying, um, autonomous assembly tasks, um, virtual reality, control, teleoperation control, deep reinforcement learning with them.”
Speaker 2 · Hear it at 10:05
early-stage companies
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Patrick Yeon, an electrical engineer at Planet Labs, explains the company's strategy of building a constellation of shoebox-sized 'Dove' satellites to image the Earth daily at 3-meter resolution. He details how they use drag from the upper atmosphere, controlled by satellite orientation, to adjust orbital spacing without propellant, and why they rely on industrial-grade off-the-shelf components rather than expensive space-hardened hardware. Yeon also discusses the company's 'agile aerospace' philosophy, the regulatory challenges of ITAR, and their open data initiatives like Open California.
Afshin Doust, CEO of Advanced Intelligent Systems (AIS), explains how the company uses a proprietary library of hardware and software modules to reduce development time and cost, aiming to empower a broader robotics ecosystem. He details the pivot from an agricultural tech focus to developing a COVID-19 disinfectant robot in just 11 weeks, which validated their modular approach and led to a non-GPS localization system for greenhouse use. Doust also discusses AIS's 'Robotics-as-a-Service' business model, which eliminates large capital expenditures for customers by charging for work performed, and shares insights on building a resilient, win-win corporate culture.
Chris Luecke interviews Scott McIsaac of KUKA, Jean Sebastian Nouveau of Waybo, and Cole Nielsen of Orbital Composites about manufacturing partnerships and additive manufacturing at IMTS 2022. Cole Nielsen details Orbital Composites' journey from a failed Kickstarter drone prototype to developing 12-degree-of-freedom robotic 3D printers for drones and satellite antennas. The episode highlights how KUKA collaborates with small companies like Waybo to automate machine shops and with startups to push the boundaries of industrial robotics.
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