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VaMEx Biomimetic Mars Robot Inspired By Skink
The VaMEx (Valles Marineris Explorer) project, led by the German Space Agency at DLR, is trying to design autonomous robots capable of exploring this challenging region.
(Mars exploration robot modeled on sandfish skink lizard)
It was by observing the sandfish skink (Scincus scincus), a lizard capable of swimming under the sand to hunt or flee, that researchers at the University of Würzburg had an idea. This animal moves through the sand by undulating, creating longitudinal and lateral forces. Marco Schmidt's team designed wheels imitating this movement, leaving sinusoidal tracks in the sand, resembling the reptile's trails.Tests conducted in collaboration with DLR and the University of Bremen showed good stability on sand. However, improvements are needed, especially for mixed terrains. The researchers note that the technique is promising but still improvable, as Marco Schmidt confides.
The team plans to refine the design to improve performance on different soil types. Control strategies taking sliding and sinking into account are also being studied. The goal is to make the rover more stable and adaptable in granular environments, to cross vast Martian dune fields.
(Via Techno-Science.)
(VaMEx Mars rover)
Science fiction fans have an uneasy relationship with the idea of robots that move easily in sand, thanks to the terrifying ideas of Philip K. Dick, who described such bots in his 1953 story Second Variety:
(PKD's Claws - or Screamers - from the 1995 movie)Across the ground something small and metallic came, flashing in the dull sunlight of midday. A metal sphere, it raced up the hill after the Russian, its treads flying. It was small, one of the baby ones. Its claws were out, two razor projections spinning in a blur of white steel. The Russian heard it. He turned instantly, firing... already a second had emerged and was following the first...
A third sphere leaped up the Russian's leg, clicking and whirring. It jumped to the shoulder. The spinning blades disappeared into the Russian's throat.
(Read more about Philip K. Dick's claws (screamers))
Take a look at this article (with video) from fifteen years ago, which also describes biomimetic robots that follow the sandfish skink model - Screamers - PKD's Claws - The Robotic Research Begins.
Science fiction movie fans may recall Scorponok, the sand-burrowing CGI robot from the 2007 movie Transformers.
(Scorponok, the sand-burrowing CGI robot from the 2007 movie Transformers)
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 6/21/2026)
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Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!) is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for the Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary, the Invention Timeline, or see what's New.
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