The concept, recently published in Science Robotics, features a coordinated team of three different robots. Working together, they can map and navigate hazardous cave environments with minimal human intervention. Tests are underway in volcanic caves on Lanzarote, Spain, chosen for their similarity to lunar terrain.
The proposed mission includes four stages: surveying the entrance area, deploying a sensor cube into the cave, lowering a scout rover via rappelling, and conducting interior exploration with full 3D mapping. This step-by-step approach is intended to maximize safety and data collection efficiency.
A field trial on Lanzarote in February 2023 validated the approach. Led by the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI), with contributions from the University of Malaga and Spanish aerospace firm GMV, the test demonstrated the feasibility of the concept and highlighted the advantages of multi-robot collaboration.
Researchers believe the results strengthen prospects for using robotic teams in future lunar and Martian missions, helping to pave the way for autonomous exploration in planetary science.
The Space Robotics Laboratory at the University of Malaga continues to play a key role in advancing autonomy for planetary rovers and orbital robots. It collaborates closely with the European Space Agency and trains engineering students in the design of advanced space robotics systems.
Research Report:Cooperative robotic exploration of a planetary skylight surface and lava cave
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