NASA Unveils Robots That Will Swim In Oceans Of Jupiter's Moons
NASA reveals a futuristic mission concept – called SWIM – that envisions a swarm of cellphone-size robots that could explore the oceans beneath icy moons' shells.
NASA Unveils Robots That Will Swim In Oceans
NASA unveiled a futuristic concept of a robot that will explore the underwater worlds of Jupiter's moon-like Europa and Saturn.
The prototype was built by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to demonstrate the feasibility of the mission concept called Sensing With Independent Microswimmers (SWIM).
In the first stage, the robot prototype has been tested in a pool and measures about 16.5 inches and weighs a little over two kilograms.
NASA JPL on X said, "Exploring alien oceans with tiny robots? These prototypes could pave the way for such a reality! A futuristic mission concept called SWIM envisions a swarm of cellphone-size robots that could explore the oceans beneath icy moons' shells. Learn more: http://go.nasa.gov/4eDCuSO"
NASA claims the goal of developing these tiny self-propelled robots is to give three times smaller autonomous underwater vehicles than the exciting ones, as well as to seek chemical and temperature signs that could indicate life.
In fact, JPL has shared a video from the test of the prototypes showing that the concept could work. Further, currently, it is just a concept and it needs funding and approval from the government.
