Environment-robot interaction-the basis for mobility in planetary micro-rovers

Planetary exploration through the deployment of robotic rovers on planetary surfaces such as mars imposes unique constraints on mobile robotics. In particular, I examine the issue of mobility across a hostile planetary surface as an oft-neglected aspect of robotic autonomy. I compare the traction performance of a wheeled concept (the rocker-bogie springless system adopted on Sojourner), a tracked vehicle concept and a novel concept called the elastic loop mobility system (ELMS). I highlight some limitations of the Bekker theory analysis used here in the determination of mobility characteristics of any vehicle locomotion system.