EU-funded project to test space robots in the Moroccan desert this weekend

This weekend you can leave the TV series behind and watch some fascinating footage of space robots exploring the Moroccan desert. Partners of the EU-funded PERASPERA project have developed core technologies for a new generation of space robots that will be tested in an environment that is the closest possible to other planets - the northern edge of the Sahara. You can follow the story of the hybrid walking-driving rover SherpaTT on Twitter on 1-4 December.

SherpaTT will be using a pioneer robotics technology developed to conduct an autonomous long-distance mission. With the goal of taking a soil sample at a remote destination, the rover will travel a kilometre-long route in the Moroccan desert landscape of wide plains, steep slopes and gorges. The rover will plan its own route and react to unforeseen situations, e.g. adapt to changing ground conditions and overcome obstacles. Along this route SherpaTT will be carrying a camera and image recognition system capable of spotting interesting rock or soil features that have not been previously catalogued. SherpaTT will act autonomously, changing its initial plan defined by human operators to suit new information input.

This is the final test in a range of space exploration trials carried out this autumn. Previous tests have validated in-orbit servicing, such as repairing an artificial satellite out in the space, and critical terrestrial applications like running a robot designed for thermonuclear reactors.  

The PERASPERA project is drafting a roadmap for an EU Strategic Research Cluster (SRC) in space robotics technology with the aim to create technically mature robotics systems for in-orbit-servicing and planetary exploration missions. It has received €3.4 million support in EU funds under the Horizon 2020 programme.

EU-funded projects participating in the field tests are ESROCOS (€3.5 million EU support), ERGO (€3.2 million support), InFuse (€3.5 million support) and FACILITATORS (€1 million support).

Read more about all trials