Imagine sending a team of robots to the Moon and having them build a base camp before any humans arrive — laying roads, assembling shelters, even 3D-printing building blocks from Moon dust. That's what PRO-ACT worked on: teaching multiple robots to cooperate on construction jobs with minimal human oversight. They tested these robot teams in Moon-like environments on Earth, proving they can navigate together, carry heavy parts jointly, and build structures from local materials.
Building infrastructure in extreme or remote environments — whether on the Moon, deep-sea floors, or contaminated sites — is dangerous and expensive when it depends on human workers. Current construction robots work in isolation, but complex building tasks require multiple machines to cooperate: carrying beams together, coordinating movements in tight spaces, and adapting to unstructured terrain. No off-the-shelf system offers this kind of multi-robot teamwork for construction.
A multi-robot cooperation system (CREW module) that enables multiple robots to jointly navigate, manipulate objects, and perform construction tasks in mixed environments. The project integrated five prior EU robotics technologies, customized mobile robotic platforms, and validated the system through Phase 0 and Phase 1 integration and testing in lunar analogue facilities across 19 deliverables.
If you are a space systems company planning Moon or Mars surface operations — this project developed multi-robot cooperation software that lets robots jointly navigate, manipulate objects, and build structures autonomously. Tested across 19 deliverables in lunar analogue facilities, the system targets TRL 4-5 and could cut your development timeline for autonomous construction missions.
If you are a construction robotics company dealing with hazardous or remote job sites — this project built a multi-robot coordination system (the CREW module) that enables joint manipulation and navigation in mixed structured and unstructured environments. The 11-partner consortium with 55% industry ratio validated the tech in realistic test scenarios.
If you are a mining company looking to automate extraction in extreme or dangerous environments — this project developed robotic systems for in-situ resource utilization (ISRU), including oxygen extraction from regolith and autonomous equipment assembly. The EUR 3,100,000 EU-funded effort demonstrated multi-robot teams handling resource extraction setup tasks.
The project received EUR 3,100,000 in EU funding across 11 partners. Licensing terms would need to be negotiated with the coordinator Space Applications Services NV (Belgium). As an SME, they may be open to commercial licensing or joint development agreements.
The project targeted TRL 4-5, meaning it was demonstrated in a relevant environment but is not yet industrial-scale. The multi-robot cooperation system was validated in lunar analogue test facilities across two integration phases. Scaling to full operational deployment would require further engineering and field testing.
The project builds on five prior EU technology programs (ESROCOS, ERGO, InFuse, I3DS, SIROM), so IP is distributed across multiple projects and partners. The coordinator Space Applications Services NV would be the first point of contact. IP ownership and licensing terms depend on individual consortium agreements.
PRO-ACT aimed for TRL 4-5, which means validated in a controlled environment simulating real conditions. Two integration and testing phases were completed. Moving to commercial deployment would require additional development to reach TRL 7-8.
The system integrates outcomes from five prior EU robotics programs and uses customized mobile robotic platforms. Based on available project data, integration with commercial off-the-shelf equipment was not a primary focus — the system was designed for space-specific platforms.
Testing was performed in lunar analogue facilities covering three scenarios: establishing in-situ resource extraction capabilities, preparing dust mitigation surfaces, and assembling a gantry/3D printer. These tests validated robot cooperation in mixed structured and unstructured terrain.
The PRO-ACT consortium of 11 partners from 6 countries (Belgium, Germany, Spain, France, Poland, UK) is well-balanced for technology transfer, with a 55% industry ratio and 3 SMEs alongside 2 universities and 3 research organizations. The coordinator, Space Applications Services NV, is a Belgian SME — meaning they are likely agile and commercially motivated. The strong industry presence (6 partners) suggests the technology was developed with practical deployment in mind, not just academic research. With EUR 3,100,000 in EU funding spread across the consortium, each partner contributed focused expertise to the multi-robot cooperation system.
Space Applications Services NV is a Belgian SME specializing in space applications — contact their business development team for licensing or collaboration inquiries.
Want to explore how autonomous multi-robot construction technology could apply to your operations? SciTransfer can arrange a direct introduction to the PRO-ACT team and help you evaluate fit.
