NASA's Snake-Like Robot Explores New Frontiers in Space Exploration

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory is developing a self-propelled, autonomous robot called EELS (Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor) that can traverse extreme terrain and make decisions on its own. The robot is highly adaptable and can navigate undulating sand and ice, cliff walls, craters, underground lava tubes, and labyrinthine spaces within glaciers. EELS creates a 3D map of its surroundings using cameras and lidar, and uses navigation algorithms to figure out the safest path forward. The robot is not currently part of any NASA mission.