Science Fiction
Dictionary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
 |
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)
Follow this kind of news @Technovelgy.| Email | RSS | Blog It | Stumble | del.icio.us | Digg | Reddit |
Would
you like to contribute a story tip?
It's easy:
Get the URL of the story, and the related sf author, and add
it here.
Comment/Join discussion ( 0 )
Related News Stories - (" Robotics ")
Epirus High-Power Microwave Defeats Drones
'...the spreading beam of the deranging ray struck them, and Then one toppled and fell. Then another.' - Ray Cummings, 1931.
It's A Giant Robot! You Reporters Have Been Warned!
'... completely forgetting the ship at sight of the awesome figure and great head of the giant Gaut...'
Tactile Skin Supplier Map
'What strange sensitivity! What an amazing development of science was manifested in every move and act and word of this Robot!' - Ray Cummings, 1931.
Robot Bees 3D Printed By Festo
'At first I was struck by the large size of these bees..' - Ernst Junger, 1957.
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.
Science Fiction
Timeline
1600-1899
1900-1939
1940's 1950's
1960's 1970's
1980's 1990's
2000's 2010's
Current News
'If Anyone Is Watching Earth...'
'Our study of your race has convinced us that you are not fitted to leave your planet in the present state of your civilization.'
Epirus High-Power Microwave Defeats Drones
'...the spreading beam of the deranging ray struck them, and Then one toppled and fell. Then another.'
Cloud Of Space Rubbish From China's Long March Rocket
'Within seconds the material was spread out over fifty yards, in a matter of hours it might occupy several cubic miles of space...'
Biomimetic Tendons From Rochu Robotics
'... the curious parallelism to animal motions.'
Living Human Neuron Biological Compute Rack
'The men are dead, but their acquired wisdom lives on and I am the beneficiary.'
Martha Stewart Approves Ojai 'Living Room On Wheels'
'Young people found the driverless car admirable for petting.'
ESA's Draco To Study Heat Of Reentry
'...a synthetic which air-friction would erode.'
Buy A Galaxy? Maybe Start Smaller
'The sky is the limit' just got higher.
The United States Space Academy Is Official
'Is our orbit to Space Academy clear?'
Is There A Global Problem With Who Is Having Children?
'After twenty generations of shillyshallying...'
You Will Eat The Cookies Made From Plastic...
'Our planes are going to start bringing in bales of discarded plastics...'
It's A Giant Robot! You Reporters Have Been Warned!
'... completely forgetting the ship at sight of the awesome figure and great head of the giant Gaut...'
Birds Learn To Sing Pictures ala Frank Herbert's Distrans
'We will fight in the time of fighting.'
ElectionSim: China's 'Ender's Game' Battle Sim, Or Lem's 'Kingdom In A Box'?
'So, Ender, we will now begin your education.'
Tactile Skin Supplier Map
'What strange sensitivity! What an amazing development of science was manifested in every move and act and word of this Robot!'
Flock Stymied By 'Adversarial Fashion'
'Forget the head atop it, the legs below, feet, arms, hands. It compels erasure.'
