This Zurich Startup Built a Four-Armed Robot for Space Stations
Each astronaut hour it saves is worth $140,000.
May 24, 2026 – 3:22 pm
Image by: Orbit Robotics
TL;DR
Zurich’s Orbit Robotics has unveiled Helios, a four-armed robot designed to work inside space stations. Targeting the 35% of crew time spent on maintenance, each hour saved is valued at $140,000.
In Microgravity, Legs are Useless
Helios replaces legs with two extra arms that serve as both mobility aids and working hands. Its design logic is straightforward: Two arms anchor the robot to the station interior while the other two handle cargo, tools, or equipment. The four-arm configuration allows Helios to stabilize and work simultaneously, a task a two-armed humanoid robot cannot accomplish in zero gravity.
Engineering Marvels
The arms are tendon-driven rather than motor-heavy at every joint, keeping them lighter while maintaining the range of motion needed for station work. Additionally, the rolling-contact elbow joint ensures smoother, more controlled movement in microgravity.
The Economic Case
Maintenance accounts for approximately 35% of crew time on the International Space Station. Helios is designed to handle tasks like unloading cargo, sorting supplies, tracking inventory, moving equipment, and basic maintenance, all without requiring human judgment.
A New Approach to Robotics
While the robotics market moves toward specialized form factors, Helios represents a unique approach: designing the body for the environment, not the other way around. Most humanoid robots are shaped around Earth-based movement, but Helios is tailored specifically for microgravity conditions.
The Growing Market
With SpaceX’s Starship program aiming to increase space access, the need for efficient robotic helpers in orbit will grow. Orbit Robotics’ innovative solution could be just what the industry needs.
Orbit Robotics has not disclosed pricing, production timelines, or funding, but its base in Zurich positions it within one of Europe’s strongest tech hubs.