Planetary exploration missions on the surface of Mars are carried out with great care. Communication delays between Earth and robotic spacecraft can range from 4 to 22 minutes, adding further constraints due to limited data transmission capacity. This requires scientists to carefully plan each step in advance. The rover is also designed to conserve energy and avoid danger, moving slowly over rough terrain. Most only move a few hundred meters a day, which limits the amount of terrain they can explore and makes it difficult to collect extensive geological data.
Researchers sought new strategies designed to overcome these limitations. They tested semi-autonomous robots that could move from one target to another and collect data on their own, rather than relying on constant human instructions. Robots with compact equipment can inspect multiple rocks in sequence and perform measurements independently.
The results showed a significant increase in efficiency. Rather than focusing on a single rock under continuous monitoring, the robot can travel to multiple locations and analyze each one. This approach has greatly accelerated both resource exploration and the search for “biosignatures” (i.e., evidence of life) on planetary surfaces.
The research team wanted to know whether a robot equipped with a relatively simple set of equipment could produce meaningful scientific results while working quickly. This discovery confirms that key objectives such as identifying rocks important for astrobiology and resource exploration can be accomplished with compact tools.
Test legged robots in a Mars-like environment
To prove this concept, the researchers used a quadruped robot called ANYmal. It was equipped with a robotic arm that held two instruments: the microscope imager MICRO and a portable Raman spectrometer developed for the ESA-ESRIC Space Resources Challenge. The project included collaboration with the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich’s Robotic Systems Lab. Space, University of Zurich, University of Bern.
The experiment was carried out at the Mars Labor facility at the University of Basel. This environment uses analog rock, “regolith” (i.e., planetary dust) material, and analog lighting conditions to simulate planetary surface conditions. During the test, the robot moved autonomously toward the selected target, using the robotic arm to position the equipment and transmit image and spectral data for analysis.
The system was successful in identifying different types of rocks that are important for planetary science. These include gypsum, carbonate, basalt, dunite, and anorthosite. Many of these materials will be particularly valuable for future missions. For example, lunar-like rocks such as dunite (rich in olivine and oxides), anorthosite (containing anorthite), and oxides such as rutile may represent useful resources.
Fast results with multi-target search
The researchers compared two methods. The traditional approach, in which a scientist guides a robot to a single target, and the semi-autonomous approach, in which the robot investigates multiple targets in sequence.
The difference in speed was obvious. Multi-target missions took just 12 to 23 minutes to complete, while comparable human-guided missions took 41 minutes.
Even at such a fast pace, the robot maintained strong scientific performance. In one test, all selected targets were correctly identified.
This method could allow future missions to scan larger areas of the planet’s surface in less time. Scientists will then review the incoming data and decide which locations are worthy of further study.
Reducing the need for continuous human input will allow robots to move more freely across terrain, quickly analyze rocks, and collect valuable data. This accelerates scientific progress and allows researchers to focus on the most promising samples.
Prepare for future missions to the Moon and Mars
This study demonstrates that even smaller and simpler instruments can provide valuable scientific insights when combined with autonomous robotic systems. Rather than relying entirely on large, complex equipment, future missions could use agile robots to quickly survey their surroundings and identify high-priority targets.
Semi-autonomous robots like this could play a key role as space agencies plan new missions to places like the Moon and Mars. Covering more land in less time could improve both the exploration of resources and the search for signs of past life.
