ORBIT Robotics unveils Helios four-armed humanoid robot for space stations

Swiss robotics company ORBIT Robotics unveiled Helios, a four-armed humanoid robot designed for space station environments, on May 21, 2026. The machine replaces traditional legs with two additional arms to improve utility in microgravity conditions.

Four arms replace legs to improve utility in microgravity conditions

Helios uses a tendon-driven design where motors sit close to the shoulders. Cables and spools transfer force from these shoulder-mounted units to the joints. A rolling contact joint at each elbow combines strength with compliance for better manipulation capabilities.

The robot targets cargo handling and inventory workflows on future space stations. ORBIT Robotics states that maintenance tasks consume about 35 percent of crew time. A single cargo unloading cycle requires approximately 50 hours and costs roughly 140,000 US dollars per astronaut hour in labor.

ORBIT Robotics released a project video titled "The future is here" to introduce the machine. The company emphasizes that arms provide more utility than legs for weightless operations. Helios aims to automate routine tasks such as unloading deliveries and recording stock levels.