If space exploration is often synonymous with the rovers, the European Space Agency gives us a glimpse of what could be the robot explorers of tomorrow. Through these concepts, ESA imagine multifunction rovers who, in addition to their main mission, the astronauts also attend to their task.
The ESA has therefore devised a scenario involving these machines in action on the moon. To optimize the exploration, rover proceed by laser scanning the ground to collect data and detect a difficult terrain. To overcome these difficulties, it is equipped with versatile wheel that can be deployed and become better legs to climb the slopes, like an insect. Further, these tabs also serve as arm to collect samples of rock. Apart from the rovers, the space agency plans to other modules as a service robot and a robotic carriage that will transport materials and equipment to the lunar base.
ESA has already developed several prototypes for most of these concepts, especially with its rover equipped with multifunction wheel.