Space station collaboration: Robots cooperating across various systems on the International Space Station
The International Space Station (ISS) recently witnessed a significant milestone in space robotics with the successful completion of the ICHIBAN experiment. This groundbreaking event marked the first time two independently developed robot systems, CIMON and Int-Ball2, coordinated for a common task.
CIMON, a spherical assistance robot developed by Airbus, has been in use on the ISS since 2018. The control software for Int-Ball2, on the other hand, was developed by the Japanese company SEC. While these robots were not originally designed to work together, the ICHIBAN experiment demonstrated the potential for inter-robot collaboration, even across different hardware and software architectures.
The collaboration for the development of CIMON involved Airbus, the University Hospital of the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, ESA, and the Columbus Control Center in Oberpfaffenhofen. In contrast, Int-Ball2 was developed by Japan's JAXA.
The unique aspect of ICHIBAN is that CIMON and Int-Ball2 are not compatible, as they were developed for completely different tasks. However, German and Japanese engineers worked closely together to develop new protocols and security standards to enable communication between the two robots.
The experiment was conducted in the European Columbus module of the ISS, with astronaut Takuya Ōnishi speaking with CIMON and giving voice commands to Int-Ball2, which was simultaneously in the Japanese Kibo module. The AI at the heart of CIMON enabled it to understand Ōnishi's commands, process them, and send them to an AI server on the ground for intent analysis and translation into operational instructions suitable for Int-Ball2.
Int-Ball2, a spherical camera unit, can be remotely controlled and provides real-time imagery, documenting experiments from different angles. Unlike CIMON, it was developed for a different purpose and is not compatible with it. However, during the ICHIBAN experiment, Int-Ball2 was controlled via voice commands to CIMON.
The data transfer of the camera image from Int-Ball2 to CIMON's display in real-time was a technical premiere across different system boundaries. Int-Ball2 autonomously performed the task of photographing experimental setups, saving resources for crew members.
Dr. Christian Rogon, project leader on the German side, stated that the ICHIBAN demonstration on the ISS is a significant milestone in space robotics and will significantly improve support for astronauts. The successful collaboration between CIMON and Int-Ball2 showcases the potential for future robotic systems to work together seamlessly, even when developed by different space agencies.
References: - Israel National News, 2025-07-31: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412541 - Space Connect Online, 2025-08-01: https://www.spaceconnectonline.com.au/r-d/6626-jaxa-and-german-aerospace-centre-achieve-world-first-in-iss-robotic-collaboration - Actuia, 2025-08-01: https://www.actuia.com/en/news/mission-ichiban-robotic-cooperation-takes-flight-on-the-iss/
- The successful collaboration between CIMON and Int-Ball2 during the ICHIBAN experiment on the International Space Station (ISS) highlighted the potential for employment of robotic systems in space, as demonstrated by the seamless operation across different hardware and software architectures.
- The groundbreaking ICHIBAN experiment, which involved the coordination of robot systems CIMON and Int-Ball2, showcased the future of science and technology in space, emphasizing the importance of inter-robot collaboration for advancements in space-and-astronomy.
