Humanity is expanding into space, yet humans are too fragile to perform the construction and assembly needed to create vital infrastructure in hazardous environments. Robots that can perform a wide variety of complex tasks autonomously are needed. In addition to great hardware, which is already available on the market, these robots need to be intelligent. ANT61 is working on the next generation robotic brain, taking advantage of recent breakthroughs in Artificial Intelligence (AI). The first step on the robot’s journey to space is in-orbit satellite maintenance, repair, and life extension.
Most commercial robotics systems use the so-called ‘classical approach’ where robots are programmed to perform one specific task in a very stable environment, such as an assembly line or a pizza kiosk. ANT61’s robots are working in challenging and unpredictable environments, whether in space or on Earth, often alongside other robots and humans. At the core of the technology is a set of bespoke deep neural networks allowing ANT61’s robots to perform a wide variety of construction and assembly tasks, choosing different tools depending on the situation and adjusting to the ever-changing conditions.Life has evolved neural networks as a great multi-purpose tool to increase adaptability. Today, they give robots the same advantage.
While space is the primary strategic focus, ANT61’s first commercial projects are on Earth. Their versatile robots can perform any assembly or installation task and ANT61 has identified several key industries where they can make a difference today.The first industry ANT61 will tackle is land-based solar plant installation. Labour costs of the installation alone form 35% of the total project cost in Australia, Canada, the United States and United Arab Emirates, and in Japan it’s around 45%. Most large-scale solar farms are in remote areas and installation requires high precision with a few steps repeating thousands of times, making it ideal for robots. There is currently $4.8B worth of solar farm projects approved to commence in the next three years in Australia alone.
ANT61 are looking to collaborate with satellite manufacturers for in-orbit servicing projects and companies performing installation, assembly, construction and maintenance in high-risk environments and remote areas such as mining sites, off-shore platforms and wind farms and pipelines.
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The Venture Catalyst Space program is Australia's first incubator program for startups in the space sector.