Prospecting in the dark ...slowly

A robot that can navigate rocky surfaces and carry out drill operations in complete darkness is being developed at Pittsburgh-based

.

The four-wheeled robot, Scarab, is a demonstrator of technologies that could be used on the Moon. The prospector is able to obtain metre-long geological core samples using a drill, and features rocker-arm suspension.

As well as enabling Scarab to lower its 1.5m x 90cm body to the ground to stabilise itself during drilling activities, the rocker-arm suspension can lift the robot's body 50cm off the ground so that it can straddle rocks or lean as it negotiates steep slopes.

Challenges being faced by the researchers include how to operate Scarab without light. Plans include the use of low-power, laser-based sensors to feel its way around, and radioisotope as a power source.

Radioisotope is said to be more energy efficient, which is important since the robot will not be able to run on solar-powered batteries.