The colonization of the Moon and Mars is set to be our first major step into the Universe. However, there are numerous obstacles that need to be overcome before this becomes a reality. One of these obstacles is the inability to build structures in space. Currently, structures are assembled on Earth and then transported to space for assembly. This method is effective for now, but it may not be suitable for long-duration missions. This is where NASA’s inchworm robots come into play.
NASA’s Ames Research Center is working on a project called ARMADAS, which aims to develop the hardware and software necessary to build large-scale structures. The idea is to use inchworm-like robots along with structural building blocks and smart algorithms to assemble, repair, and reconfigure materials. This technology could be used on the Moon, Mars, or in any orbit around a celestial body without the need for human supervision.
Inchworm robots are simple mechanical creatures that move by arching their backs. They are designed to operate in a lattice environment and perform specific tasks. Their main purpose is to use building blocks to create any structure envisioned by humans. Recently, NASA conducted a lab demo at the Ames Research Center using three of these autonomous robots and 3D building blocks called volumetric pixels or voxels.
The voxels used in the demo were made of lightweight composite materials and had a cuboctahedron shape. They resemble a wire-frame soccer ball with flat faces. During the demo, two of the robots transported one voxel at a time from a supply station to the construction site on the exterior of the structure. The third robot’s role was to secure each voxel to the rest of the structure.
By utilizing inchworm robots and smart algorithms, NASA hopes to revolutionize the way structures are built in space. This technology has the potential to make long-duration missions to the Moon and Mars more feasible and cost-effective. With further development and testing, inchworm robots could become an essential tool for future space exploration.
NASA’s Incredible Robots Build Structures Autonomously
In a groundbreaking test, NASA’s robots have successfully built a structure comparable to the International Space Station’s trusses. The machines operated autonomously, and although the duration of the test remains undisclosed, the result is a solid and impressive structure with the size of a shed.
The team behind this remarkable achievement emphasizes several key aspects of this technology. Firstly, the robots themselves are relatively simple in design. Inchworm machines, which are easy to construct, rely on aligning each small step to a 3D grid. Consequently, they do not require complex computation or sensing capabilities. By pre-feeding them with data, there is no need for machine vision or external measurement technology.
Moreover, the size of the structures that can be built using this method is virtually limitless. The only limitation lies in the availability of building blocks. Additionally, there are no restrictions on the types of structures that can be constructed. NASA is currently expanding the library of voxel types to include solar panels, electrical connections, and shielding. This will enable the robots to know exactly what to do next.
Furthermore, the structures built using this technology can be repurposed by disassembling and reconfiguring them into new designs. This flexibility ensures that the structures can adapt to changing needs and requirements.
In the near future, ARMADAS robots will be equipped with inspection tools, making them indispensable for upcoming space missions. While there is no specific timeline for when this technology will be implemented, it is expected to be a considerable amount of time before it becomes a reality.
