Scientists from the University of Basel, ETH Zurich, and the European Space Agency have tested a quadrupedal robot equipped with a robotic arm to explore planetary surfaces more efficiently. The robot navigated rocky terrain autonomously, identifying targets and collecting data faster than traditional human-guided methods. The findings, published this week, suggest it could accelerate resource prospecting and searches for signs of life on the moon and Mars.
A team of researchers programmed the semi-autonomous robot to handle locomotion, waypoint navigation, instrument deployment, and data collection without direct human input. Equipped with a camera and spectrometer to identify materials, the robot operated in the Marslabor facility at the University of Basel in Switzerland, which simulates planetary conditions with rocky landscapes and specialized lighting. It successfully moved to multiple targets, such as specific rock types, and analyzed them using its arm-mounted tools. Gabriela Ligeza, an ESA researcher and study coauthor, said the project combined robotics and geology to envision operations on the moon and Mars. The tests showed multi-target missions took 12 to 23 minutes with the robot, compared to 41 minutes for human-guided exploration of similar scope. Researchers noted that legged robots could access steep crater walls and hard-to-reach areas beyond the capabilities of wheeled rovers, which prioritize energy efficiency and slow movement over rough terrain. Ligeza highlighted the potential for these systems in upcoming lunar missions, including NASA's plans for a moon base, where robots could scan for scientific targets while humans focus elsewhere. NASA has also advanced autonomous navigation, recently using AI to guide the Perseverance rover on Mars for about 1,500 feet.
