Canadian Activities in Intelligent Robotic Systems: An Overview

Space Exploration has been the subject of renewed interest as is clearly demonstrated by the creation of the International Space Exploration Coordination Group by 12 space agencies. Canada is determined to provide key technologies and expertise that will be critical for space exploration. Much of this expertise lies on a strong background in space robotics and in scientific instrumentation in the Canadian industry base, science community and internally in the Canadian Space Agency. Recent Canadian activities in space robotics include the successful robotic operations on the Space Shuttle and on the International Space Station but also technology demonstration missions in low-Earth orbit to demonstrate on-orbit servicing. Other activities are preparing the future space missions on the ISS with Dextre, in advanced on-orbit servicing or for planetary exploration. Planetary and more generally space exploration is seen by Canada as the next opportunities to pursue the expertise in robotics that started 30 years ago