Researchers at five universities, including NASA, are working together on a project to teach a robotic dog how to navigate difficult terrains in preparation for future space missions. The LASSIE project, which has received a two million dollar grant, is focused on developing robotic dogs that can adapt to various environments, such as hard rocky surfaces, snow or sand.
Spirit, the robotic dog at the center of the project, is being trained on lunar terrain using Mount Hood in Oregon as a testing ground. The mechanical legs of the robot allow it to sense changes in the terrain with each step it takes. Despite progress made in training the robot dog, challenges remain in preparing it for space missions.
The aim of the project is to develop robotic rovers for lunar missions that can work alongside humans. Robotic dogs like Spirit will play a key role in exploring and navigating challenging environments on the Moon. Researchers are optimistic about the potential for these technologies to assist in lunar exploration and work alongside humans in future space endeavors.
