HEBI Robotics Awarded SBIR Phase II Contract by NASA
This two-year, $850k project continues NASA’s investment in HEBI Robotics to develop modular actuation hardware for use in space.
NASA has awarded HEBI Robotics continued Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) funding in the form of a Phase II contract for the creation and testing of physical actuation hardware components for use in the harsh environments of space. These include control electronics (“avionics”), compatible with the HEBI Robotics ecosystem and other 3rd-party systems, to enable the rapid development of flight-qualified integrated actuation technology for Earth Orbit Environments (LEO-Low Earth Orbit & GEO-Geosynchronous Earth Orbit).
Difficult conditions such as ionizing radiation and the harsh reality of vacuum (where traditional lubricants used in gearing otherwise outgas) make this challenge one of critical importance. Equipment such as robotic actuation and manipulators are needed to handle objects and perform tasks, such as in-space servicing, assembly, and maintenance (ISAM).
HEBI has prior experience with NASA with projects such as this “Superball” mobile robot constructed with HEBI actuators.
“HEBI’s long-term mission is to make it easy for any engineer to build robust, professional grade, robotic systems without years of technical experience or training,” said Andrew Willig, Director of Hardware at HEBI Robotics. “Creating actuation technology that can withstand the harsh environment of space provides HEBI with a further expanded modular hardware platform with a broader application base. This allows the agile production of complex robotic systems for space applications that would otherwise require long, multi-million-dollar endeavors.”
HEBI Robotics had previously demonstrated success with a NASA Phase I SBIR contract related to initial research and testing of actuators for use in space applications. SBIR awards provide government agencies with a way to diversify their technology portfolios while supporting American businesses with fewer than 500 employees. Phase II SBIRs are only selected when Phase I results show strong technical results with a high likelihood of commercial feasibility.
NASA’s use for space-rated actuation hardware spans a wide range of applications including robotic arms for the deployment of equipment, solar panels, etc. and space construction. Aging satellites require maintenance while construction of new structures in orbit, on the moon, and Mars continues to be a topic of national and international importance. HEBI robotics is working to provide the capability to support reliable actuation in space to support these future missions.
HEBI ARMADAS inchworm robot in a live demonstration at FIRST Robotics world championship 2025.
Benefits of the project go beyond the direct scope of this SBIR work and include continued development of the NASA ARMADAS technology (a joint venture with NASA also involving HEBI Robotics for the development of autonomously-assembling materials to build infrastructure such as habitat structures, large antennae arrays, and spaceports). Terrestrial benefits of HEBI’s new technology include operators in the nuclear inspection field as radiation-hardened actuators are increasingly required in the inspection and maintenance of nuclear sites including land or sea based reactors.
About HEBI Robotics
HEBI Robotics produces an agile, flexible platform for robotics development. With hardware and software tools that make it possible to quickly create and deploy capable and robust custom robotic solutions, the HEBI platform is used by researchers, and industry around the world to accelerate their work. HEBI also employs the platform in collaboration with our industrial partners to develop practical automation systems that address challenging applications in the field. Visit www.hebirobotics.com for more information.
About the SBIR / STTR programs
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs are highly competitive programs that encourage domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) with the added potential for future commercialization. The competitive SBIR and STTR programs empower small businesses to explore their technological potential and provide the incentive to profit from its commercialization. The goal of these programs includes strengthening manufacturing and technological capabilities of the United States by diversifying its portfolio of capable suppliers and innovators.