Crazy strong robotic dogs gear up for moon mission

Crazy strong robotic dogs gear up for moon mission

Autonomous robots to aid lunar exploration as part of LASSIE project

by Kurt Knutsson

In the shadow of Oregon’s majestic Mount Hood, a team of researchers from a consortium of universities and NASA’s Johnson Space Center have embarked on a groundbreaking project. Their mission? To prepare a dog-like robot named Spirit for the daunting task of navigating the moon’s unpredictable terrain.

GET SECURITY ALERTS, EXPERT TIPS – SIGN UP FOR KURT’S NEWSLETTER – THE CYBERGUY REPORT HERE

 

Spirit’s rigorous training regime

During a rigorous five-day testing period in the summer of 2023, Spirit faced a gauntlet of challenges. The quadruped robot, equipped with spindly metal legs, traversed shifting earth, mushy snow, and rocky obstacles. “A legged robot needs to be able to detect what is happening when it interacts with the ground underneath and rapidly adjust its locomotion strategies accordingly,” explains Feifei Qian, the project lead from the USC Viterbi School of Engineering.

Credit: LASSIE Project

Credit: LASSIE Project

 

SUIT UP FOR THE STARS: SPACEX’S NEW ERA OF SPACE FASHION

 

The LASSIE Project: A leap towards planetary exploration

Spirit’s trials are part of the LASSIE Project (Legged Autonomous Surface Science in Analog Environments), a multidisciplinary effort that includes engineers, cognitive scientists, geoscientists, and planetary scientists. The team’s goal is to understand the characteristics of different substrates and enhance the robot’s ability to walk on these challenging surfaces.

Credit: LASSIE Project

<
HOW THE DREAM CHASER SPACEPLANE PLANS TO SHAKE UP SPACE TRAVEL IN THE FUTURE  

 

From earth to moon: Preparing for the unknown

The footage captured at Mount Hood offers a glimpse into surreal environments that closely resemble other planets. These earthly trials provide Spirit with valuable learning experiences, preparing it for future explorations beyond our world.

Credit: LASSIE Project

 

ARE YOU READY TO TAKE THIS CRAZY RIDE TO OUTER SPACE IN AN 8 PASSENGER LUXURY BALLOON?  

 

 

Collaborative robotics: The future of space exploration

Looking ahead, Qian’s team plans to develop more quadrupeds to advance their mission. With a $2 million grant from NASA, the TRUSSES Project (Temporarily, Robots Unite to Surmount Sandy Entrapments, Then Separate) aims to deploy groups of robots to the moon. These robots will share knowledge and form a map of locomotion risk estimation to aid in their planetary explorations.

Credit: LASSIE Project

 

Kurt’s key takeaways

The Palmer Glacier on Oregon’s Mount Hood isn’t the moon, but it’s an excellent place for practice. Here, Spirit and its future robotic companions learn to navigate extreme terrains, transforming into structures like bridges or pyramids to overcome obstacles. This research not only pushes the boundaries of technology but also inspires us to reimagine the possibilities of teamwork in the face of adversity.

What potential scientific discoveries do you believe legged robots could enable on celestial bodies that are currently inaccessible to wheeled rovers? Let us know in the comments below.

FOR MORE OF MY SECURITY ALERTS, SUBSCRIBE TO MY FREE CYBERGUY REPORT NEWSLETTER HERE


   

Leave a Comment

GET MY FREE CYBERGUY REPORT
Subscribe to receive my latest Tech news, security alerts, tips and deals newsletter. (We won't spam or share your email with anyone else.)

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Tips to avoid our newsletters going to your junk folder