The arm that will blow your mind

04 October 2017

How can astronauts judge distances while operating the Canadarm (and now Canadarm II / Dextre)? A University of Alberta Engineering alumnus solved the problem.

Internationally renowned in the field of engineering physics, H.F. Lloyd Pinkney (UAlberta Civil Engineering '59, MSc '63) was the principal investigator of the Space Vision System, the technology that serves as the eyes for the Canadarm II.

The SVS was based on the real-time photogrammetry system that Pinkney co-designed in the early 1970s. His work on the SVS, a vision system for robotic devices such as the Canadarm, was considered a major advancement in space technology. The SVS enables Canadarm II / Dextre to handle payloads that are out of sight to astronauts operating its giant robotic arms. It also played an essential role in the construction of the International Space Station.

Pinkney was instrumental in advancing Canada as a leader in space technology. He began his 44-year career with the National Research Council of Canada in 1952. While working at the NRC, he completed his master's and PhD in engineering mechanics at Stanford University. From 1996-2002, he worked as a scientific engineering consultant with Neptec Design Group Ltd.