Founded in 1998, HTR emerged at a pivotal moment when robotics started to get out of factory floors and reach for the fields. HTR’s founders recognized the need of autonomy in terms of intelligence and energetics. We understood that future autonomous machines will need to cover both these needs to become successful.
HTR understood a fundamental truth: outdoor robotic systems demand a level of mobility and dexterity comparable to that of living organisms, together with an energetic efficiency that matches the one of animals in motion. Inspired by the Darwinian principles of evolution, HTR adopted a groundbreaking perspective – “intelligence could emerge from higher mobility.”
On that basis, we focus our innovation on flexible structures, active compliance mechanisms, highly efficient wheel designs, and active suspension systems, all of which contributed to creating machines capable of operating, navigating and performing in complex environments with unprecedented fluidity.
HTR has consistently championed the pursuit of energy autonomy as a cornerstone for the widespread adoption of future robotic systems. While artificial systems have made significant strides, they still fall short of biological organisms in terms of efficiency during locomotion. Our patented wheels close this gap and approach the unparalleled energy efficiency of natural creatures. On the other hand, our patented, active compliance satellite docking systems offers unmatched performance in terms of safety and cost savings for the highly risky in-orbit operations industry.
Who we are
We specialize in the research, development, testing, and production of advanced robotics and mobility systems for space and planetary exploration. Our expertise spans planetary locomotion, in-orbit robotics, and embedded control systems, with a strong focus on developing functional prototypes and engineering models tailored to mission needs.
From concept to hardware, we offer integrated capabilities under one roof. Our dedicated test platforms support rigorous performance evaluation – including rover endurance, wheel-soil interaction, docking maneuvers, and mobility on challenging terrains. These facilities enable us to validate designs in realistic and extreme conditions.
Complementing our R&D and testing strengths, our in-house manufacturing setup – featuring both CNC machining and 3D printing – allows for rapid prototyping and precision production. This ensures fast iteration cycles and high-quality outputs that meet the demands of both development and deployment.
What we do
- Structural mechanics, mechatronics and motorization (linear dc drives, force sensors, active damping of multimodal structural vibration, non linear system control)
- Digital servo systems, wireless networks and power electronics.
- Real time dynamics and control simulation tools, running on RT Linux platforms, permitting the validation of advanced control architecture schemes for multi-dof systems, while taking into account interactions with the environment (such as in the case of underwater manipulators)
A number of relevant patents in the area of system design have become the property of HTR, together with the research results and exploitation rights of an important number research projects in the field of Space Robotics, through agreements with the major participants of the projects or representatives of the consortia.