Two decades after the idea was first conceived at NASA, RoboBall – a perfectly spherical robot designed to conquer lunar craters and unstable sand dunes – is finally becoming a reality at Texas A&M University, led by Dr. Robert Ambrose.
Originally envisioned in 2003, RoboBall was conceived as a robot without a fixed “up” or “down,” capable of traversing the rugged and irregular lunar terrain where traditional rover models would easily get stuck. The new prototype is currently being tested on the Texas A&M campus, where the research team is evaluating its performance on complex and unpredictable surfaces.
RoboBall’s internal design combines multiple drive mechanisms and built-in sensors, allowing it to roll in any direction and adapt to terrain regardless of obstacles. This solves the classic problem of robots tipping over – since when the entire surface is a wheel, it simply can’t.
Ambrose and his team at the RAD Lab now have ambitious goals: to deploy RoboBall in unexplored environments on Earth and eventually prepare it for future space missions. The latest design includes a more robust internal drive system and versatile sensors, making it a strong candidate for upcoming lunar expeditions.
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