Establishing a permanent lunar base on the moon is a daunting task, requiring massive logistical efforts and significant expenses. To ease the burden of transporting all necessary supplies from Earth, researchers are exploring the possibility of harvesting materials directly on the lunar surface. To accomplish this challenging feat, a team of four-legged robots may become valuable allies.
A recent study published in Science Robotics showcases the work of researchers at Switzerland’s ETH Zurich university, who conducted outdoor excursions with a trio of modified quadruped ANYmal robots. The team tested the robots on various terrains in Switzerland and at the European Space Resources Innovation Centre (ESRIC) in Luxembourg. Collaborating with the Universities of Basel, Bern, and Zurich, engineers programmed each ANYmal with specific lunar tasks: one was equipped with a microscopy camera and spectrometer to identify rock varieties, while another utilized cameras and a laser scanner to map and classify its surroundings. The third robot demonstrated the ability to identify rocks and map its environment, albeit with slightly less precision than its counterparts.
Continue reading… “Quadruped Robots: Paving the Way for Lunar Base Construction”
