Robonaut 2 (R2) is a state of the art, highly dexterous anthropomorphic robot
jointly developed by NASA and GM teams for different space missions.
Its dexterity allows it to use a wide range of tools, the same tools that
astronauts currently use, and it does not need specialized tools.

To achieve its design goals NASA design team was looking for rotary encoders that met the following specifications:

• thin and hollow bore form factor
• high resolution
• high precision absolute position output
• low power consumption
• space environments compatible

 

Netzer Electric Encoders™ DS-130 and DS-90 fit the bill. Robonaut 2 includes 10 Electric Encoders™ in each hand, 3 encoders in the neck and 2 encoders in the torso, altogether 25 encoders. Extensive testing was done on Robonaut 2 in preparation for its flight, including vibration, vacuum and radiation.

Robonaut 2 is destined for the international space station (ISS); it will be carried on board
STS-133 space shuttle mission scheduled to launch November 1st 2010.

 

A proposed mission called Project M was announced in 2009 by JSC and if approved would land a R2 robot on the moon within 1000 days in 2013.

 

 Project M concept animation , NASA Robonaut’s Photo stream

 

 

Even though the Electric Encoder™ is inherently absolute there is still a market requirement for incremental AqB+Index output - similar to that of classical optical encoders.

 

Netzer Precision Motion Sensors now offers its standard Electric encoder™ with an AqB+Index output option which is obtained by processing the internal sine/cosine analog signals. Unlike in optical encoders which may miscount as a result of contamination, the structure and principle of operation of the Electric Encoder™ provides a reliable output and makes this concern irrelevant

 

The Electric Encoder™ with AqB+Index output is also unique in that the number of pulses per rotation and index pulse parameters can be factory tailored.  This combines with other advantages such as durability, hollow shaft and low profile.

 

The AqB+Index conversion electronics comes as external module in some of the encoders and is included internally in others.

 

 

Netzer Precision Motion Sensors has launched its new SSI interface – available within the Electric encoder™ or as an external board. The industrial common digital streaming – SSI, provides a wide variety of options and flexibility to the existing Netzer DS product line of Electric Encoder™.

 

Netzer Precision Motion Sensors' implementation of the SSI includes the intelligent sensors capabilities with advanced calibration and tuning tools for high precision output.