Würzburg Researchers Build Sand-Swimming Mars Rover, Cutting Slippage on Soft Terrain
Updated
Updated · starlust.org · May 20
Würzburg Researchers Build Sand-Swimming Mars Rover, Cutting Slippage on Soft Terrain
4 articles · Updated · starlust.org · May 20
University of Würzburg researchers have built a Mars rover whose wheels mimic a sandfish lizard, allowing it to move stably through loose sand where conventional designs often bog down.
Tests on sandy terrain showed the wheel motion generated both forward and lateral forces, leaving sinusoidal tracks that the team said confirmed the intended sand-swimming mechanism.
Early prototypes still sank because the wheels were heavier and narrower than pneumatic ones, but widening them and reducing mass lowered ground pressure, sharply reducing slippage and improving stability.
The work targets a long-standing Mars problem highlighted in 2009, when NASA’s Spirit rover became trapped in soft soil and eventually lost power, underscoring that mobility is critical for survival on the planet.
Researchers working with Bremen partners in the German Aerospace Center’s VaMEx initiative are now developing software so the rover can detect terrain and adapt its movement autonomously.
Can a rover built for Martian sand conquer the planet's treacherous rocky terrains?
When will this sand-swimming rover leave its unique tracks on the Red Planet?
How will its AI brain adapt its 'swimming' style when encountering unseen Martian hazards?
Tackling Martian Sand: How the VaMEx Swarm and Sandfish Rover Aim to Unlock Valles Marineris
Overview
Exploring Mars is challenging due to its unpredictable and granular terrain, such as deep sand and loose soil. To address this, a new Mars rover is being developed by a team led by Marco Schmidt as part of the VaMEx initiative. This innovative rover moves beyond traditional wheel designs, aiming to improve stability and adaptability for future missions. The project is a collaborative effort, focusing on overcoming terrain difficulties through advanced engineering and software-driven mobility. Ongoing refinements are enhancing the rover’s performance, especially on mixed terrain, making it better suited for the harsh Martian environment.