Porta Gantry: Keeping NASA’s Valkyrie Moving Towards Mars

As NASA looks to the future of human exploration of space, advanced humanoid robotics are becoming an ever more important part. Valkyrie, NASA’s cutting-edge humanoid robot, is helping researchers learn how robots could work with astronauts on future missions to Mars and beyond. NASA required a reliable support system for walking trials that would move with the robot while providing unrestricted movement to ensure the safety of this invaluable asset.

Valkyrie is a highly sophisticated, electrically powered humanoid robot capable of operating in challenging, damaged and unpredictable environments. Only four were ever produced by the Johnson Space Center (JSC) Engineering Directorate and just one remains there, with the other three now being used for additional research at universities in the US and Scotland. This Valkyrie is specifically used in the Software, Robotics and Simulation Division.

The Valkyrie robot at NASA is a precious, 6’2”, 136kg state of-the-art machine which represents a $2m+ investment. Designed to mimic the motion of an astronaut in a capsule or on a spacewalk, it is powered by a large battery attached to the rear, with input wiring monitoring its every move. While Valkyrie is perfectly capable of walking unsupported, the size of the investment and the vast amount of data it contains means that NASA can never risk allowing the robot to fall over. It is routinely attached to a steel A-frame structure via a loose tether line, but NASA needed a support system that could match the robot’s movements without restricting its performance.

NASA approached Reid’s trusted Canadian distributor, Equipment Corps for a portable gantry solution. The system needed to effectively move with Valkyrie while it was walking around. With a substantial inventory of Reid products in stock, Equipment Corps could supply a Reid Porta Gantry immediately from stock, which is now helping to keep the robot safe and secure. The Reid Porta Gantry supplied was our 2000kg capacity model with a 4.5m beam. The use of a Close Coupled Trolley maximised the headroom for both the hoist and the robot. It gives the robot plenty of freedom to move around, sometimes on difficult to navigate and uneven surfaces, and space to accomplish complex tasks. The Porta Gantry is lightweight yet highly durable aluminium portable gantry, making it a perfect option when Valkyrie is in the research lab, as well as at trade shows and exhibitions. NASA’s choice of trusting a Reid product to protect such a high value asset proves the high-quality and resilience of Reid’s products.