Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #30746: Haptics-2: Controlling Robots on Earth from Space

Imagine controlling a robot from space and actually feeling what it touches—this was the bold goal of Haptics-2, an experiment led by Dr. Andre Schiele at the European Space Agency. Building on the success of its predecessor, Haptics-1, this project explored the real-time control of robotic components on Earth by astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS), all while receiving force feedback.

The technology used in Haptics-2 was developed at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in the Netherlands. This setup included a sophisticated force-feedback joystick on the ISS and a robotic arm on Earth. When the astronaut moved the joystick, the robot mimicked the motion—and when the robot encountered resistance, the joystick pushed back, simulating touch.

This experiment, conducted during Expeditions 43/44 and 47/48, tested the feasibility of “remote feel” operations over large distances. It revealed key insights into the time delays (latency) and stability issues that affect remote teleoperation.

In practical terms, Haptics-2 is a stepping stone toward remote planetary exploration. One day, astronauts orbiting Mars could control surface robots with high precision, without ever landing. Likewise, such systems could be used in hazardous environments on Earth, such as disaster zones or nuclear sites.

Haptics-2 represents a new frontier in human-robot collaboration, showing how touch can bridge the vast distance between space and Earth.

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