HEBI Robotics has secured a new NASA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I contract to develop miniaturized, high torque density modular actuators. The project, slated to run through December 2026, aims to create affordable, rugged hardware for CubeSats and other space-limited environments where traditional manipulation tools lack flexibility.
The Pittsburgh-based company, a spinout from Carnegie Mellon University, is targeting a specific gap in the current robotics market.
The $850,000 Phase II Push for Flight-Ready Hardware
The goal is to accelerate the deployment of flight-qualified technology for missions in low Earth orbit (LEO) and geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO).
“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.”
Andrew Willig, director of hardware at HEBI Robotics
Overcoming Vacuum and Radiation Constraints
Engineering for orbit is not merely about size; it is about survival. As noted by menafn.com, space environments present critical challenges such as ionizing radiation and the vacuum of space, where traditional lubricants used in gearing can outgas and fail.
These technical hurdles are the primary barrier to essential space tasks. NASA requires reliable robotic actuation and manipulators to perform in-space servicing, assembly, and maintenance (ISAM). This includes the deployment of solar panels, the use of robotic arms for equipment installation, and the ongoing maintenance of aging satellites.
The stakes extend beyond existing satellites to the construction of new infrastructure on the moon and Mars. This work also supports the NASA ARMADAS technology, a joint venture involving HEBI to develop autonomously-assembling materials for spaceports, large antennae arrays, and habitat structures.
Terrestrial Applications for Space-Hardened Tech
The development of these actuators is not limited to the stars. The “Lego-like” modularity of the hardware is designed to be intuitive for industrial teams and research labs on Earth. Because the systems are built to withstand extreme conditions, they have immediate utility in dangerous terrestrial environments.
“Space is difficult, but the lessons apply here on earth as well. Making systems that are easy to use and rugged means these actuators are of interest not just to NASA but to anyone looking for modular actuation hardware they can deploy in rough and dangerous environments in the field.”
Andrew Willig, director of hardware at HEBI Robotics
One primary terrestrial beneficiary is the nuclear inspection field. According to menafn.com, there is an increasing requirement for radiation-hardened actuators to maintain and inspect both sea-based and land-based nuclear reactors.
Commercial Scalability and the SBIR Roadmap
The transition from Phase I to Phase II in the SBIR program is a significant filter; Phase II grants are only awarded when initial results demonstrate strong technical success and a high likelihood of commercial feasibility. HEBI’s progression through these stages suggests a viable path toward mass-production.
The company is leaning into the increasing commercialization of space. Andrew Willig noted that there is real demand for affordable, versatile, and scalable mass-production of robotic systems
that can operate in difficult environments. By bringing the price point down on rugged hardware without sacrificing aerospace-grade reliability, HEBI is positioning its modular platform as a standard for rapid robotic development.
This trajectory is already yielding recognition. In addition to its NASA partnerships and the development of its “inchworm” family of robots, HEBI won a 2025 RBR50 Robotics Innovation Award.
The convergence of these grants indicates a shift in space robotics: moving away from bespoke, multi-million-dollar projects toward an agile, modular ecosystem where hardware can be swapped and scaled as easily as building blocks, whether the destination is a nuclear reactor or a lunar outpost.
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