NASA's Tri-ATHLETE

[»Blocks]

Tri-ATHLETE is a robot developed by NASA for lunar surface exploration. "ATHLETE" stands for "All-Terrain Hex-Limited Extra-Terrestrial Explorer" and "Tri" represents the fact that it can separate into a pair of three-legged robots.

 

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2660/3924185676_e1f8bb9d9b.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3466/3923401121_aae664641b.jpg

 

The basic idea is that with such a wheel-on-limb configuration, you can roll quickly across most terrain, and walk over/around obstacles when the terrain gets rougher. Each limb can also be used as an arm with a tool attached at the tip.

 

Anyway, I think we have some people here who might find this interesting (I find it to be the bee's knees).

 

Videos:

[whalz]

pretty awesome.. just moves so slow.. but then, they will be on mars, and they are scientists.. so slow is good :\