Snakebot

Snakebots are the next generation robotic probes that NASA is planning to develop in order to explore other worlds. Snakebots are named such because of their ability to move like biological snakes. Furthermore, they can change their shapes in order to accomplish different tasks such as digging under the soil, climbing over obstacles, moving around a different environment, etc.

The body of a snakebot is composed of 30 identical modules linked together to form a chain. A central spine will act as the communication pathway between the modules and will be responsible for giving the commands to individual modules in order for them to work together in performing a task.

Components of a Snakebot

Central Command

A snakebot has a central computer which is responsible for communicating with the smaller computers on each of the attached modules. The central computer is the origin of commands and is responsible for coordinating the modules in performing a task. The modules are connected to by wires to create a network.

Microcontrollers

These are the smaller computers that are on each module of the Snakebot. They will be responsible for controlling the individual module and interpreting the commands from the main computer. They are connected to sensors to provide reflexes.

Other Components

Additional sensors added to the snakebot make it adaptable to its environment and enable it to learn from its experience and respond to any changes.

Two servomotors provide movement for the different parts in a module. These motors are controlled directly by the main processor and in part by the module computer.

Wheels, much like the scales on a biological snake, are used for ease of movement. The gears are used to move the hinges between the individual modules. These give the snakebot the ability to change its shape depending on the task at hand.

The camera will be used to record videos and pictures for documenting purposes.

Advantages of a Snakebot

Light Weight, Less Maintenance and Repairs

Since the Snakebot's design enables it to perform a variety of tasks, this means that fewer specialized equipments will need to be brought along in a mission. Fewer equipments mean less weight. The module design of the Snakebot also means that repairing it will be as easy as replacing the defective module on the chain with spare modules. This saves repair and maintenance time.

Cost

Snakebots, unlike the probes used in past missions, require much less money to manufacture. In fact, manufacturers are planning to sell snakebot toys since they only cost a few hundred dollars each as compared to the $135 million for the Mars Oddysey.

Ability to Perform more Tasks

Snakebots will also be a lot more adaptive to any environments because of their design. Because they can change their shapes, they will be able to explore different worlds with more efficiency than the past probes. They can coil around objects, flip to get over obstacles, dig, burrows, slither across any landscape and squeeze into tiny openings to get any assigned task done.