While working on a project for NASA, the space technology experts at MDA Corporation were in need of a rapid prototype control system for a high level robotic system. Because MDA’s robotic work is so specialized, there are very few companies they can approach for assistance in the design of control systems for the projects they are undertaking. In this case, MDA needed a control system for a ground-based robotic ‘hand’ prototype which was part of a robotic servicing system being considered for unmanned repair of the Hubble Space Telescope.

For the solution, MDA turned to Quanser and its expertise in the design of customized control systems.  “We are lucky that Quanser has this expertise and offers us products that we can use in our own designing and prototyping – tools they’ve developed,” says Cameron Ower, Director, Research and Development for MDA’s Space Missions.  “Quanser’s real time control system know-how and tools make a really potent combination.”


Quanser’s challenge was to ‘animate’ the customized robotic hand to receive critical instructions and then translate these instructions into actions, with precision and accuracy being paramount.  Specifically, Quanser had to design and implement a controller for a Tool Changeout Mechanism (TCM) that could grasp tools, torque bolts, and pick up or remove parts in a space servicing or repair mission.

MDA had already designed and built a two-armed robotic system called Dextre for the International Space Station.  This two-armed robotic system included space-qualified Tool Changeout Mechanisms (robotic hands) and their control systems.  The plan in the Hubble Servicing Mission was to use this same sort of robotic system on an unmanned servicing spacecraft.  After rendezvous and docking, either autonomous or ground-based control would be used to command the robotic arms to service and repair the Hubble Telescope.

NASA wanted to see a working example of this robotic hand that they could test in their laboratories.  “We had a spare prototype version of the robotic hand,” says Ower, “But we needed an equivalent ground-based control system to drive these high level commands to the robotic hand.”


Quanser was able to take the general functions in the design of MDA’s space-qualified robot and implement them in a ground-based version of the controller that could be delivered to, and tested by, NASA.

Of specific importance to MDA was Quanser’s ability to design real time control systems and implement them in hardware, particularly for prototypes, very effectively and quickly.  “Quanser has taken this type of work to a new level and their real time operating system tools are very effective for rapid prototyping,” says Ower.


A huge asset for this project was Quanser’s in-house technical experience in applying controls to projects that involve manipulators for a space environment. This expertise allowed for an immediate coherence between MDA and Quanser. The prototype equipment was delivered to Quanser and set up in the company’s labs. Quanser’s rapid control prototyping hardware and software tools (Q8 real-time controls board, and WinCon) were used to design and develop the control algorithms in a fraction of the time that it would have taken if programming by hand. The entire completed prototype system was demonstrated, approved, and returned to MDA for the final proof-of concept demonstration to their client.


Using its in-house expertise and technology, Quanser was able to bring to life a proof-of-concept prototype for MDA’s client, NASA.  The completed project was viewed as a success and provides a useful prototype that NASA (Goddard) may use to examine issues relating to the robotic handling of payloads, batteries, computers or anything else on a spacecraft that need to be replaced.

“There’s nothing like a real system to illustrate to customers how it works,” says Ower, “and the control system that Quanser developed was key to that otherwise inanimate system.”


Founded in 1990, Quanser is a world leader in the innovation and development of advanced control systems for industry, education and research.  Quanser provides flexible, real-time solutions for complex control problems – from design to manufacture to OEM implementation – taking concepts, products and research to the leading edge.  Quanser’s flexible state-of-the-art control technology is currently employed worldwide in a diverse range of applications, including aerospace, robotics, medical assistive devices and the emerging field of haptics.