Talk:European Robotic Arm
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Can someone explain what the differences/similarities of the European Robotic Arm and Canadarm2. From reading the two articles they sound virtually identical. I think these articles need more discussion on the differences/similarities. Why is a second one needed? It says ERA is for the Russian module but is it limited to the Russian module? Is Canadarm2 limited to where it can go? -- Webgeer 17:00, 3 Nov 2004 (UTC)
Canadarm2 can indeed not go everywhere on the ISS. Because of differences between US and Russian technology (especially with regard to the interfaces on the outside of the ISS) Canadarm2 can't attach itself to the Russian segment of the ISS. Thus a separate robotic arm for the Russian segment is needed.
Also the ERA can do some things that the Canadarm2 can't do. For instance, the ERA can be controlled by a cosmonaut who is outside the space station (standing on a working platform that is attached to the ERA). -- 82.161.242.16 14:31, 5 Nov 2004 (UTC)
The "ability to 'walk' around the exterior of the station" is not a "unique feature" of this space robot, as the second and third sentences claim between them. Right? Actually, while I'm picking nits, I'm dubious about the use of the word "intelligent" in the first sentence, too. And as Webgeer says, the article is insufficiently clear about what the ERA can do that the Canadarm2 cannot; surely there's cool stuff to be talked about (aside from EVA-MMI). Anyway, please don't misuse the word "unique".
The article has been changed in reaction to the previous comments. Here is also a list of differences between the Canadarm2 and the ERA. The list is by no means complete so any comments and contributions are welcome.
1) The Canadarm2 and the ERA use different grappling mechanisms to deal with the basepoints and grapple fixtures on payloads on their respective parts of the ISS.
2) The Canadarm2 must always operated by a human operator. The ERA can perform many tasks automatically (which is also the reason for the use of the word "intelligent" in the article), for instance by performing a sequence of moves (go there, take that payload and move it over there etc.) that have been composed on earth and sent to the ISS. The operator in the ISS only has to press a start button and check ERA's progress from time to time.
3) The Canadarm2 operator has to look at the arm through some kind of window or outside camera. The ERA has camera's of its own which can show images of the arm and its surroundings on the IVA-MMI inside the space station. These camera's can also be used for inspecting the ISS from the outside without the need for EVA.
4) The Canadarm2 has to rely on actions of its operator to grapple something. The ERA has sensors which measure torques and forces and can perform fully automatic grappling and releasing of payloads and basepoints.
5) The Canadarm2 can only be controlled from inside the ISS. The ERA can also be controlled (through the use of the EVA-MMI) by a kosmonaut outside the ISS.
