Toronto based robotics company, Engineering Services Inc., is to build a robotic arm which be a prototype for use on a Mars or Lunar rover. They have been awarded a $3 million contract from the Canadian Space Agency for the project.
The robotic arm will have a long reach, a scoop, grippers and a powered socket wrench as per specifications of the Canadian Space Agency. The Planetary Medium Manipulator (PMM) prototype would be built and tested by a team of experts from the robotics industry and the academia.
The PMM will be able to do a number of tasks such as scientific investigations, construction of a simulated lunar base and maintenance of other robots. The light weight and versatile robotic arm will have the ability to be operated from a remote location. The first prototype is expected to be completed in 2012.