Six-Limbed NASA Robot Does the Moves

From NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory comes a new robot designed for future extraterrestrial exploration missions—a six-limbed one at that.

The ATHLETE (All-Terrain Hex-Limbed Extra-Terrestrial Explore) - is a concept vehicle with six wheels at the end of six limbs. Yes limbs, not legs. Each limb has quick-disconnect tool adapters that allows the machine to use items pulled out of a “tool belt” to enable drilling, gripping or other power-tool functions. With each limb having sufficient mobility it can be used as a general-purpose manipulator, with the 1+ horsepower (745+ watt) motor in each corresponding wheel as a power source.

The six-wheel concept promises stability and efficient driving over stable, gently rolling terrain. When ATHLETE encounters extreme terrain, the limbs become general purpose legs, with the normal-terrain wheels locked and used as feet. Since the system uses gear for normal terrain, it can be 25% lighter than the conventional extraterrestrial mobility chassis.

The first generation prototype was made of six limbs attached to the corners of a hexagon ring. The second one is a pair of Tri-ATHLETEs – independent tri-limbed versions - working together. This setup allows for a straightforward cargo solution – the pair goes up to the side of a cargo pallet, docks on opposite sides and carts it away to its destination. ATHLETE is envisioned as a heavy-lift support utility vehicle during human exploration of the lunar or Martian surface

See the ATHLETE in action here

Via HackADay and NASA JPL