The United States launched an army of life-seeking ants out of the globe

NASA scientists are working on an ant-shaped robot that can detect extraterrestrial life and perform rescue missions.

NASA is developing a small robot shaped like an ant to probe extraterrestrial planets. Small robots are responsible for finding the source of underground water, life and materials that can be converted into rocket fuel for astronauts, according to Space.

Rassor robot has the ability to gather resources from the planet's surface.(Photo: NASA)

Robots carry webcams, Wifi antennas and navigation devices (GPS). Each animal explores an area but when suspicious objects are found, they will signal to call other animals. The way the robot works is similar to the behavior of finding and forgiving ants' food. According to engineers, they move on small wheels.

Currently, scientists have just tested 4 homemade robots similar to radio-controlled miniature trucks. The test area is the car parks around the Kennedy Space Center.

'We are entering the testing phase and collecting data , ' said Cheryle Mako, an engineer at the Kennedy Space Center.

Engineer Kurt Leucht, a member of the research team, said they are considering to develop machine architectures into a future army of robots. If tested successfully, the team plans to apply the design of Rassor, a mining robot developed by the Kennedy Center, to create a robot that can dig into the surface of the moon and Mars.

Currently, NASA scientists have tested four machine architectures in car parks around the Kennedy Space Center.(Photo: NASA)

Compared to the Curiosity machine operating on Mars, robots like ants and Rassor have a smaller and simpler design.

'Previously scientists just wanted to put as much intelligence and their ability into robots as possible. Now, they realize they can use more simple and compact design robots in a mission. If one of them fails, the task continues because others can still work, ' Leucht said.

The team also considered using robotic imagers for missions on earth such as search and rescue, checking water pipes.