Projects

RSVP is the ground control software used by Rover Planners for Martian exploration.

RSketch (and its successor MobSketch) are high-level activity-based rover planning tools for the Curiosity and Perseverance rovers. They are faster and safer than manual sequencing, enabling increased science return with lower hardware risk.

ArmSketch is a high-level activity-based contact science planning tool for the Curiosity and Perseverance rovers.

This robot was designed to crawl, walk, and climb through extreme terrains, with possible applications in comet sampling or future extraterrestrial missions.

VolcanoBot was developed to explore volcanic fissures and improve mapping of the otherwise tumultuous terrain surrounding volcanos.

This gecko-adhesive enabled robot can climb surfaces in any orientation or operate in zero gravity. Oppositional pairs of gecko adhesive pads switch van der Waals adhesion on and off using an applied shear load.

The Durable Reconnaissance and Observation Platform (DROP) was a prototype robotic platform with the ability to climb concrete curbs and stairs. It could also climb surfaces up to 85 degrees at a rate of 25cm/s, make rapid horizontal to vertical transitions, carry an audio/visual reconnaissance payload, and survive impacts from 3 meters.

This robot used magnetorheological fluid as a controllable adhesive for climbing.