Robot Drone Navigation in Complex Terrains for NASA's Space Exploration
Disciplines
Other Engineering | Space Vehicles | Structures and Materials
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Within the past century, space agencies worldwide have expanded their presence beyond Earth. A standout example is the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter mission in 2020. Alongside this, soft robotics has emerged as an exciting field with the potential to transform how robots operate. Soft robots, made of flexible materials and driven by inflation or tendons, offer versatility in movement. This project aims to create a new type of robot combining a quadruped walker with a drone, featuring 3D printed soft legs designed for navigating Mars' rugged terrain. First, a literature review was conducted to investigate common defects in contemporary drone designs, concluding that the integration of legs rather than wheels mitigates the issue of limited ground mobility. Using tools like SolidWorks for designing the body of the robot and a microcontroller for coding the brain and sensors, a hybrid ground-aerial drone was developed capable of maneuvering through Martian landscapes, including sandy and dusty areas. This robot's design enables it to explore narrow, inaccessible spaces like caves, which were previously off-limits. While this prototype marks a crucial step, future versions will improve attachment systems and enhance leg flexibility and freedom of movement, promising significant advancements in space exploration.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
SPCEET - Engineering Technology
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Turaj Ashuri
Robot Drone Navigation in Complex Terrains for NASA's Space Exploration
Within the past century, space agencies worldwide have expanded their presence beyond Earth. A standout example is the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter mission in 2020. Alongside this, soft robotics has emerged as an exciting field with the potential to transform how robots operate. Soft robots, made of flexible materials and driven by inflation or tendons, offer versatility in movement. This project aims to create a new type of robot combining a quadruped walker with a drone, featuring 3D printed soft legs designed for navigating Mars' rugged terrain. First, a literature review was conducted to investigate common defects in contemporary drone designs, concluding that the integration of legs rather than wheels mitigates the issue of limited ground mobility. Using tools like SolidWorks for designing the body of the robot and a microcontroller for coding the brain and sensors, a hybrid ground-aerial drone was developed capable of maneuvering through Martian landscapes, including sandy and dusty areas. This robot's design enables it to explore narrow, inaccessible spaces like caves, which were previously off-limits. While this prototype marks a crucial step, future versions will improve attachment systems and enhance leg flexibility and freedom of movement, promising significant advancements in space exploration.