At SEC, we carry out activities to contribute toward nurturing the next generation of robotics engineers through our support for the Kibo Robot Programing Challenge (Kibo-RPC).
The Kibo Robot Programming Challenge (Kibo-RPC) is an international programming competition for students, in which participants develop programs to move drone robots inside the International Space Station (ISS) while attempting to solve challenges with the greatest possible speed and accuracy.
Participants can refine their skills in scientific techniques, engineering, and mathematics by developing programs.
They can also develop their capacity as global talent through cross-border mingling with other participants from countries and regions around the world.
- 拡大
- (C)JAXA
Kibo-RPC features preliminary competitions held in multiple locations worldwide using simulators. Teams that win in these preliminary competitions represent their respective countries in the final round, in which they install programs on real drone robots inside the Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo" in the ISS.
An image from the final round of the challenge (4th Kibo-RPC) at the International Space Station (ISS)
(C)JAXA/NASA
SEC has been a sponsor of Kibo Robot Programming Challenge (Kibo-RPC) since its inaugural competition. We have also been involved in the development and operation of the software platform and portal site used by participating students for program development, as well as supporting the management of preliminary rounds held in various countries and regions.
JAXA's drone robot Int-Ball2, which is used in the 7th Kibo-RPC competition, was developed with SEC's participation, and we also support its operation aboard the ISS.
In addition, SEC organizes workshops that adapt the contents of Kibo-RPC for elementary school students, enabling them to experience programming through Scratch, a programming language designed for children.
Int-Ball2 is an on-board drone robot that supports astronauts working on the ISS. The first Int-Ball was launched in 2017, and its successor, Int-Ball2, was launched in 2023. Flying freely in the microgravity environment of the ISS, Int-Ball2 captures photos and videos of scientific experiments and technology demonstrations on behalf of astronauts, helping to reduce their workload.
Under contract with JAXA, SEC developed the system integration software that coordinates and manages the various software components embedded in Int-Ball2. We also developed the ground operation support system, which visualizes telemetry data received from Int-Ball2 in orbit and enables remote monitoring and operation from the ground.
In addition, SEC developed Int-Ball2's core imaging capabilities, including the ability to stream video captured in orbit to the ground.
- 拡大
- (C)JAXA/NASA
SEC has engaged in software development for space exploration ever since its founding.
The company has worked on many projects, including the onboard systems for Hayabusa2 and other planetary probes and scientific satellites, as well as systems related to the Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo" in the ISS.
In the field of space robotics, SEC has been involved in developing system integration software for "Int-Ball2," an onboard drone that supports astronauts working within the ISS, an operational and management platform for JEMRMS (JEM Remote Manipulator System; robotic arms on the Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo" in the ISS), and other projects.