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In the continuation of "are there any humanoid robots on board the ISS?"...

Do we have more information, further than marketing, e.g:

  • Do we have firm plans for cognitive robots on board the ISS?
  • If we have plans, what are the expectations?
  • So far, what robots have been tested / used for in the ISS?
  • What are the current results / benefits?

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The most useful robots onboard currently are the SSRMS and JEMRMS, both are teleoperated robotic systems.

The JEMRMS (Japanese Experiment Module Remote Manipulator system) is

a 10m long robotic arm, mounted at the port cone of the PM, intended to service the EF and to move equipment from and to the ELM. The RMS control console was launched while inside the ELM-PS. The main arm was launched with the PM. The "Small Fine Arm", is 2m long and attaches to the end effector of the main arm, was launched aboard.

(from Wikipedia) Acronyms: PM - Pressurized Module, EF - Exposed Facility, ELM - External Logistics Module

The SSRMS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System)

Launched on STS-100 in April 2001, this second generation Canadarm is a larger, more advanced version of the space shuttle's original Canadarm. Canadarm2 is 17.6 m (58 ft) when fully extended and has seven motorized joints. It has a mass of 1,800 kg (4,000 lb) and a diameter of 35 cm (14 in). The arm is capable of handling large payloads of up to 116,000 kg (256,000 lb) and was able to assist with docking the space shuttle. Officially known as the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS), it is self-relocatable and can move end-over-end to reach many parts of the Space Station in an inchworm-like movement. In this movement, it is limited only by the number of Power Data Grapple Fixtures (PDGFs) on the station. PDGFs located around the station provide power, data and video to the arm through its Latching End Effectors (LEEs). The arm can also travel the entire length of the space station truss using the Mobile Base System.

Most of the time the arm operators see what they are doing by looking at the three Robotic Work Station (RWS) LCD screens. The MSS has two RWS units: one located in the Destiny module (US Lab module) and the other in the Cupola. Only one RWS controls the MSS at a time. The RWS has two sets of control joysticks: one Rotational Hand Controller (RHC) and one Translational Hand Controller (THC). In additional to this is the Display and Control Panel (DCP) and the Portable Computer System (PCS) laptop.

From Wikipedia

Note that no one involved with the SSRMS ever refers to it as the Canadarm.

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    $\begingroup$ Thanks. I'm more interested on cognitive robots rather than the robotic arms. I'll add this element in the question. Your answer is appreciated nonetheless. $\endgroup$
    – mins
    Commented Dec 31, 2014 at 0:11
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    $\begingroup$ I thought so, but since all the other robotic equipment is strictly experimental, I thought it would be good to at least mention the operational robotics gear. Perhaps someone who is familiar with the experimental gear can edit or replace what I wrote. $\endgroup$
    – Organic Marble
    Commented Dec 31, 2014 at 0:15
  • $\begingroup$ @OrganicMarble It's possible that since your post, Chris Hadfield might have used that nom-de-boom once or twice in an outreach video downlink to his fellow SSRMSians. ;) $\endgroup$
    – uhoh
    Commented Jun 20, 2017 at 19:08
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    $\begingroup$ That would be PR. $\endgroup$
    – Organic Marble
    Commented Jun 20, 2017 at 19:15

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