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Research published today in the journal
Science Robotics used three three-legged robots on a lunar-like surface and found that they could collect and analyse data faster than a single robot by working in tandem.
“If a robot failed, the [human] operations team could reallocate tasks between the robots,” writes Philip Arm, from ETH Zurich's Robotic Systems Lab. “Our technology can enable robots to investigate scientifically transformative targets on the Moon and Mars that are unreachable at present using wheeled rover systems.”
Current rovers need to cover unstable terrain and monitor their surroundings carefully, but are hampered by the lack of dexterity offered by wheels. They often operate solo, which means expeditions take longer: on Mars, the Perseverance rover works with the Ingenuity helicopter to scan for sites of interests, but must collect samples alone.
Arm and colleagues at ETH Zurich are exploring the possibilities of teams of legged robots that collaborate effectively. During the European Space Agency's Space Resources Challenge, they used robots based on the four-legged 'ANYmal' design, and equipped them with locomotive controllers, mapping software and tools for on-the-ground investigations.
One robot served as a scout, surveying the environment for targets: another collected data from the targets, while the third robot was a scientist, analysing samples collected by the second robot. The robots moved more quickly and completed tasks more quickly than a single robot, and could be repurposed in the event of one robot being damaged.
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