'Hedgehog' Robots May Hop, Flip and Tumble Across Other Worlds

First Posted: Sep 04, 2015 07:26 PM EDT

Researchers may have created "hedgehog" robots that can hop, flip and tumble across other worlds. The new robot could be huge for exploring small objects, such as asteroids or comets, and dealing with low-gravity conditions.

"Hedgehog is a different kind of robot that would hop and tumble on the surface instead of rolling on wheels," said Issa Nesnas, leader of the JPL team, in a news release. "It is shaped like a cube and can operate no matter which side it lands on."

Two Hedgehog prototypes were actually tested aboard NASA's C-9 aircraft for microgravity research in June 2015. Over the course of four flights, the robots demonstrated several types of maneuvers that would be useful for getting around on small bodies with reduced gravity. Scientists also tested these maneuvers on different materials that mimic a wide range of surfaces: sandy, rough and rocky, slippery and icy, and soft and crumbly.

The prototypes were able to perform controlled hopping and tumbling in these environments. It can even perform a "tornado" maneuver when it aggressively spins to launch itself from the surface, which would come in handy when stuck in a sandy sinkhole.

The new robot could be huge when it comes to exploring low-gravity environments. Currently, the scientists are working on Hedgehog's autonomy, so that it can perform a bit more by itself rather than receiving direct instructions.

In order to learn more, check out NASA's website.

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TagsRobot, robotics, Robots, Robotic, NASA, NASA’s, Comet, Asteroid