Canadarm2 is the robotic arm used on the International Space Station for external maintenance.
Officially called the Space Station Remote Manipulator System, Canadarm2 was built by MDA for the Canadian Space Agency and installed on the station in 2001. Unlike the original shuttle-era Canadarm, it can move along the station’s truss using special base points and can position itself at different locations.
The arm is used to move equipment, support astronauts during spacewalks and capture visiting spacecraft. Dextre is a separate Canadian robotic system with two smaller arms, designed for delicate maintenance tasks. The European Robotic Arm is another station manipulator, primarily associated with the Russian segment. Canadarm2’s ability to “walk” along the station distinguishes it from a fixed industrial arm.