The European Robotic Arm (ERA) of the International Space Station (ISS) has been used since its installation in July/August 2021, to attach and replace solar panels, review and assemble modules and to transport astronauts carrying out spacewalks.

It is about 11.3 m long and weighs 630 kg and is capable of moving up to 8,000 kg. In appearance it is almost like a human arm, with joints and the ability to grasp, hold and turn as if it were a real hand. It is symmetrical in its construction.

The arm can be directed from the outside, through a panel, or from a control room inside the ISS called the "Dome (ISS)") due to its shape and which, through its seven windows, allows astronauts to see all the movements of the robotic arm.

Astronauts control the robot both inside and outside the space station. Control from inside the space station (Intra Vehicular Activity-Man Machine Interface (IVA-MMI)) is carried out using a laptop computer, which displays a model of the ERA and its environment. Control from outside the space station (Extravehicular Activity Machine Interface (EVA-MMI)) is performed using a specially designed interface that can be manipulated from a spacesuit.

The European Robotic Arm has several interesting features. Most notable is its ability to "walk" around the outside of the station's Russian segments under its own control, moving hand-in-hand between preset base points, and its ability to perform many tasks automatically or semi-automatically, thereby freeing its operators to do other work. Specific ERA tasks include: