NASA revealed the 'Hedgehog' robot to explore the universe

The US Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has announced a new model of space exploration robot nicknamed "Hedgehog". The robot can operate on any difficult terrain, according to the Daily Mail.

NASA built the porcupine robot to explore the universe

'Hedgehog' has a cubic structure, moves by rolling on the ground and braking with the rotating wheel system inside. With a special design, robots can perform space expeditions without fear of being overturned or tumbling like previous wheeled autonomous vehicles.

Figure simulating the robot 'Porcupine' in space - (Daily Mail screenshot).

' Hedgehogs can be used to explore small objects such as asteroids and comets. The weak gravity and rough surface in these places make the traditional self-propelled vehicles at risk , ' according to NASA.

The project of making 'Porcupine' was carried out by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) of NASA, Stanford University (USA) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (USA).

• Robot explores spherical universe

Around the cube there are many parts like rod nails, which are in contact with the ground and function to protect the cube structure. They are also devices that help measure the surface temperature of celestial bodies, according to the Daily Mail.

Researchers have experimented with new robot models on many terrains simulating alien surfaces, from soft, rugged, slippery sand to freezing, dense soil and easy to collapse.

Robot structure has a cube shape - (Photo: tech.sina.com.cn).

'We first tested the bouncing and rolling ability of "Hedgehog" in the Mars simulation environment , "said Daily Mail, quoted by Robert Reid, JPL's project chief engineer.

Scientists are developing the ability of the robot to operate itself without a modulating signal from the Earth. Their idea was to use a mother ship to orbit the celestial orbit and be responsible for communicating with Earth.

The mother ship will also help the robot navigate and locate the celestial body. The cost of making 'Hedgehog' is relatively cheaper than the cost of making a traditional autonomous vehicle like Curiosity, scientists revealed.