The US conducted a robot test operating on the Moon

Accordingly, scientists are conducting a promising test project, allowing a robot named Spirit with 4 legs to move on rough terrain, simulating the harsh conditions of the Moon and Mars.

The robot, named Spirit, will test moving on Mount Hood in the state of Oregon, USA, an area with diverse terrain from hard surfaces to soft surfaces such as snow or sand.

Dr. Cristina Wilson from Oregon State University explains that each move of the robot will feel the same mechanical resistance as humans, thereby collecting data to better understand the planet's surface and develop mobility methods for the future.

The project, called LASSIE: Automated Surface Science in Analog Environments, aims to demonstrate the Spirit robot's ability to learn and adapt to new challenges, preparing for future missions when Humans and robots work together in space.

This work will help improve the design and development of future machines for space exploration.

Feifei Qian - Assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Southern California, said the team's role is to ensure the robot can move and collect data effectively for scientific research.

The project is funded by NASA for 2 years with a total cost of up to 2 million USD, to support the implementation of various missions on the Moon. The research team includes experts from many different organizations and universities.

Jessica Tanner

Update 22 April 2024