NASA Developing Tiny “SWIM” Robots to Look for Life Forms on Other Planets
Jul. 3, 2022NASA’s scientists and researchers are working to develop new kinds of robots that can search for life forms on other planets in space and the idea of smartphone-sized robots that can swim in icy oceans to find evidence of life forms has been awarded a significant amount as part of NASA’s Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program. Check out the details right below!
NASA’s SWIM Robots in Development!
NASA, via a recentofficial press release,announced that it plans to develop swarms of tiny swimmer robots that will be able to push through frozen crusts of icy oceans and dig deeper to find life forms on distant planets. These robots,dubbed SWIM (Sensing With Independent Micro-Swimmers), will be packed inside a narrow ice-melting probe that will enable them to melt ice crusts in frozen water bodies to go deeper to look for life forms.
Each of these robots would have its own propulsion system, onboard computing system, and ultrasound communications system. There will also besimple sensors for temperature, salinity, acidity, and pressure. Furthermore, it is said to carry relevant chemical sensors to monitor for biomarkers (signs of life) on other planets.
“My idea is, where can we take miniaturized robotics and apply them in interesting new ways for exploring our solar system?With a swarm of small swimming robots, we are able to explore a much larger volume of ocean water and improve our measurements by having multiple robots collecting data in the same area.”Schaler said in a statement.
So, what are your thoughts about NASA’s new SWIM robots? Let us know in the comments below, and stay tuned for more such interesting stories.
A geek at heart, you’ll find me fidgeting with an iOS device or sitting in front of the laptop, scouring the internet to find interesting technological innovations. In my free time, you’d find me playing Valorant or listening to Pink Floyd.
