How will NASA’s new ‘Swarmies’ robots help us to explore space?
How will this team of robots assist with our need to investigate other worlds?
Currently, the ‘Swarmies’ patrol the surroundings of the NASA space centre in Florida. Image Credit: NASA
Asked by Vernon King
NASA’s ‘Swarmies’ may help us to explore and gather resources on the Moon, planets and asteroids. Groups of these small-wheeled robots could be sent to an alien landscape and given a target mineral or resource to find. Once set free, the ‘Swarmies’ would work in a similar fashion to an ant colony. Each would head off separately in search of their objective, covering plenty of ground. Once a robot successfully spots its target it’s able to call its fellow ‘Swarmies’ to come and help mine. As well as out in space, these robots may also help out here on Earth, by assisting with search and rescue missions.
Answered by Zoe Baily from the National Space Centre
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