The Virtual Testbed: Latest Virtual Reality Technologies for Space Robotic Applications

In recent years, Virtual Reality has emerged as a key technology for improving and streamlining design, manufacturing and training processes. Based on experience in the fields of space robotics, industrial manufacturing and multiphysics virtual prototyping, a “Virtual Testbed” for space robotics applications is being realized. The Virtual Testbed is designed as an integrative software approach to support important phases of an space robotic product’s lifecycle. Under a comprehensive software framework, the expertise of the project partners are integrated to make up the Virtual Testbed. The framework and the interfaces are defined in a way that minimizes the modelling effort required over a product’s lifecycle. This is achieved by an open, database-driven architecture which supports the propagation of model data from one phase to the next, forming the basis for an integrated product development approach. This distinguishes the Virtual Testbed from simpler 3D simulations: The CAD models generated in the design phase, enhanced with relevant information, can immediately be reused in another Virtual Testbed component.