The European Space Agency has launched the Smart Skin for Exploration Cobots project, led by the Danish Technological Institute. With a budget of 1.65 million euros and running from 2026 to 2028, it aims to develop a protective coating for robotic arms operating on the Moon, Mars, or in orbit, facing abrasive dust, solar radiation, and temperatures ranging from -150 to +120 degrees Celsius.
Flexible materials for extreme environments 🚀
The smart skin will integrate sensors and actuators into a thin, flexible layer. The European consortium is working on two functional solutions that must withstand erosion from lunar and Martian dust, as well as vacuum and sudden thermal changes. The goal is for the coating to detect impacts, wear, or cracks and be able to adapt its rigidity or partially repair itself, extending the lifespan of the cobots without the need for direct human intervention in space.
A jacket for robots that can't dress themselves 🤖
Because if humans already struggle to choose a coat that protects us from cold and heat, imagine a robotic arm trying to survive on the Moon without a good jacket. The project promises to give these poor automatons a layer that not only protects them from dust and radiation but also complains when they get scratched. For 1.65 million euros, we hope at least the skin comes in fluorescent orange so they don't get lost.