The DLR Space Administration started the Initiative "VaMEx - Valles Marineris Explorer" with the aim to explore craters on Mars up to 7 km deep fully autonomous by a heterogeneous swarm of robots. This environment appears due to the earlier volcanic activity as well as the references to water resources extremely promising for a variety of scientific issues. To have a comprehensive picture of Valles Marineris and thus potential niches for extraterrestrial life, areas which are difficult to access have to be included in the exploration in particular. Utilizing a hominid robot platform and novel approaches for fully autonomous positioning, mapping and navigation will help to meet and to deal with the environmental conditions.
Project
VIPE
Exploration in terrain difficult to access (e.g. Valles Marineris) using visual and proprioceptive data
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Duration:
Sponsors
BMBF - Federal Ministry of Education and Research
Contact Person
Keyfacts
- Involved research areas
Robotics Innovation Center - Head
Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Frank Kirchner
Publications about the project