Watch this bio-inspired Mars rover concept 'swim' through sand on curved wheels (video)
The German Aerospace Center (DLR) is developing the Valles Marineris Explorer (VaMEx), a bio-inspired Mars rover concept using curved wheels inspired by the sandfish lizard (Scincus scincus) to navigate sand dunes. Researchers from the University of Würzburg and DLR tested the rover’s sand-swimming mobility, finding stable movement but noting room for improvement in mixed terrain conditions.
The German Aerospace Center (DLR) is advancing a bio-inspired Mars rover concept called the Valles Marineris Explorer (VaMEx) to explore the Red Planet’s vast sand dunes, particularly in Valles Marineris. The rover’s design draws from the sandfish lizard (Scincus scincus), which burrows and swims through Sahara desert sand, using curved wheels to generate sinusoidal tracks for stable movement. Researchers at the University of Würzburg collaborated with DLR to adapt the sandfish’s locomotion into rover wheels capable of producing longitudinal and lateral forces. Testing in sand and uneven terrain revealed stable performance but highlighted areas for improvement, such as handling mixed environments. Marco Schmidt, leading the bio-inspired mobility research at Würzburg, emphasized refining control strategies to account for slippage, sinking, and terrain-wheel interaction. The team aims to expand software-driven mobility solutions for future Mars missions, ensuring adaptability across dune fields. Pascal Lee of the SETI Institute noted the importance of reliable mobility for both robotic and crewed Mars exploration, calling the bio-inspired approach innovative. VaMEx’s development aligns with broader efforts to enhance robotic surveying in Mars’ challenging topography, where liquid water traces and potential habitats may exist.
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