[Tyler]

Nasa's next Mars rover could have a pal to scout out rocky terrain
6 November 2014, 12:00 am

Nasa's next rover to land on Mars could have a little helper to help keep it safe while exploring the planet's surface. British engineers have been testing a new type of intelligent robot that can be deployed from a larger vehicle on the Martian surface to act as a scout in the surrounding landscape. Daily Mail - Sciencetech (UK)Link.

Source: AI in the News

To visit any links mentioned please view the original article, the link is at the top of this post.

[Art]

It would be nice if they could ever develop an explorer with an AI that could observe, sample soil, rocks, other surface materials and report back. It would be self-sustaining for many months dependent upon the power source, of course. It would not need to have a MILITARY MODE, as did AMEE in the film.
See my other posting for some reference video of the movie, Red Planet, at: http://aidreams.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=5168.0#.VF9s3snq1vk

[8pla.net]

I wish to express my support for the British engineers surpassing NASA.

[Art]

Yeah but it's still a same old roll about device relying on wheels and such instead of legs that could take larger steps, work in unison for greater speed and ability plus be able to navigate a greater variety of environments (objects, rocks, dirt, debris, etc.).

How about a roomba with sensors so that it can constantly keep bouncing off things?

[8pla.net]

British engineers may be reinventing the wheel, in a good way that is!

Just sayin'... I don't think I have ever seen a wheel quite like this before...

Image link: http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/11/06/1415284262380_wps_23_image002_jpg.jpg

Reference: http://www.abreakingnews.com/science/nasas-next-mars-rover-could-have-a-pal-to-scout-out-rocky-terrain-h267242.html

[Art]

Nice looking little scout. The star configuration on the front might allow it to negotiate a 4" rock given it's height and 72 degree legs. It's back wheels are actually segments that have been "borrowed" from a machine at least 85 years old and demonstrated by this video of the 1929 Fordson Snow Machine:

Around 35 years later Chrysler took the design idea one step further and demonstrated it's Marsh Screw Amphibian (circa. 1960's) as showcased here:

Perhaps the Fordson was an idea who's time has finally come to fruition, in a modified version.