The rate of lunar resource exploration is on the rise and lunar base development is also on the rise. This means that robotic labor is becoming more popular. It is also cheaper and safer than conventional human astronauts.
GITAI, a Japanese company, has developed the advanced lunar robotic robot R1 to meet this growing demand. It can perform general-purpose tasks such as mining, inspection, maintenance, and assembly on the moon.
The GITAI lunar robotic rover R1 performed many tasks and mobility operations in the mock lunar surface environment at JAXA’s Sagamihara campus in December 2021. They all succeeded. The lunar rover was able build a solar panel, climb over stones, and take soil samples during this demonstration.
GITAI’s lunar robotic vehicle R1 is capable to drive on the moon’s surface. It can also drive over rocks that are only a few millimeters in diameter. The robot can move in any direction thanks to its four wheels that have individual omni-directional steering.
During the tests, GITAI team and JAXA team performed a series activities that required complex structures to be assembled (solar panels, communication antennas, etc.). On the moon, which will be crucial infrastructure for NASA’s lunar bases. They then performed a series of tasks to collect lunar regolith. The GITAI lunar robotics Rover R1 removed all tools from a container, moved to the point of interest, collected lunar samples, and stored them. Finally, all tasks were completed successfully.
The GITAI lunar robotics rover R1 also demonstrated that it can climb a sandy slope of 15-20° on the mock lunar surface.
GITAI We will continue to update you.To increase the versatility of its general purpose robots and to make them more compatible with the lunar surface environment.