These robots are out of this world


Jascha Little, left, and Zoe Stephenson of team Survey are seen with their robot during a communications update period during their attempt at the level two challenge at the 2015 Sample Return Robot Challenge. Credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky
Jascha Little, left, and Zoe Stephenson of Team Survey are seen with their robot during a communications update period during their attempt at the level two challenge at the 2015 Sample Return Robot Challenge. Credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky

It may have lacked the destructive mayhem of a BattleBots competition, but the 2015 Sample Return Robot Challenge also just may hold the key in furthering our space exploration goals. Sixteen teams competed in the event held last month at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in Worcester, Mass. Teams were required to demonstrate autonomous robots that can locate and collect samples from a varied terrain, operating without human control. Innovations stemming from the challenge may improve NASA’s capability to explore a variety of destinations in space, as well as enhance the nation’s robotic technology for use in industries and applications on Earth.

The Army of Angry Robots team robot is seen during a rerun of the level one challenge at the 2015 Sample Return Robot Challenge. Credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky
The Army of Angry Robots team robot is seen during a rerun of the level one challenge at the 2015 Sample Return Robot Challenge. Credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky
The Mind and Iron team robot is seen as it drives off the starting platform during a rerun of the level one challenge at the 2015 Sample Return Robot Challenge. Credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky
The Mind and Iron team robot is seen as it drives off the starting platform during a rerun of the level one challenge at the 2015 Sample Return Robot Challenge. Credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky
This article appeared in the 12th issue of RocketSTEM.

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