Reaching New Frontiers: Hybrid Locomotion Systems for Traversing Extreme Terrain

Currently, many simple wheel designs get stuck in rocky or sandy terrain, allowing robots to get stuck or damaged. Specifically, this study aims to analyze the design and performance of hybrid locomotion robots. Hybrid solutions that integrate wheeled and legged technology offer a promising compromise between efficiency on flat ground and adaptability on rough terrain. To acquire knowledge in the field of robotic locomotion systems, a review of print studies detailing past wheel failures and current locomotion innovations will be used. This experiment and analysis aims to identify and test a locomotion method that improves rover stability across diverse extreme terrains, enabling safer and more effective robotic exploration.

Intern: Zaria Haroon

Mentor: Rachel Hartig