New Navigation System for Multiple Legged Mobility Robots

Surface mobility is essential for future planetary exploration missions. Multiple legged mobility systems allow access to more challenging and difficult terrain that would otherwise be inaccessible with conventional wheeled rovers. A new navigation system is however required to fully exploit the capabilities and extreme trafficability of a walking robot – every foothold, incline and obstacle needs to be carefully considered. 

A TDE funded activity led by DFKI GmbH (Germany), together with the Italian Institute of Technology (Italy) and Airbus Defence and Space (UK), developed a new guidance, navigation and control system for multiple legged robots. The new system is both agnostic and adaptable, allowing for the energy efficient four-legged robot and the more stable six-legged robot to safely negotiate challenging and cluttered terrain.