NASA has conducted tests of a new rover prototype designed to navigate difficult terrain more effectively than current models. The ERNEST rover features active suspension and the ability to lift its wheels over obstacles.
NASA recently tested the Exploration Rover for Navigating Extreme Sloped Terrain, known as ERNEST, in the Colorado Desert. The four-wheeled prototype, which measures four feet long, drove for more than 37 hours over seven days and covered about 16 miles at a top speed of roughly 0.6 mph.
The rover uses active suspension with powered joints that allow it to switch between different movement modes, including wheel-walking and obstacle-climbing. It can also alternate between active and passive suspension based on task and energy requirements.
Engineers have tested nearly a dozen suspension configurations since the program started in 2022. The prototype includes enhanced independent decision-making capabilities to reduce reliance on remote operators.
JPL planetary scientist James Keane said the technology could enable extensive exploration on the Moon or Mars.