Researchers at the Faculty of Computer Science at Peking University are testing robot dogs in a cave in northeast China. According to scientists, the conditions in the lava cave near Jinpohu Lake in Heilongjiang Province are in many ways similar to those on the moon and allow us to simulate the tasks to be solved on the satellite. Robots are used as scouts to perform geodetic work that is inaccessible to humans.
One of the prototypes was created in the image of an anteater: it combines a robotic arm and a mobile platform, which makes it versatile in difficult conditions. The second variant, named after the salamander, is a wheeled robot that can navigate rough terrain and collect data on the state of the environment. Both models are designed for autonomous operation and multi-functional operations.
According to Chinese experts, lava tubes are of particular interest — cavities in solidified lava that can become a natural shelter for a future lunar base. Such formations protect against radiation and sudden temperature changes, and robot dogs should help in their research and assessment of their suitability for development.
