A robot that can roll across the desert

Photo credit: Texchxplore

Data-gathering Tumbleweed robot seeks to understand desertification

by Nancy Owano

EXCERPT

A tool, the Tumbleweed, to help researchers both understand and explore solutions to hold back the spreading desert. Mir’s Tumbleweed concept is a robot that can roll across the desert, gathering information.

Designed as a platform to operate autonomously for years, the Tumbleweed can travel thousands of kilometers using only the power of the wind. Instead of reliance on solar panels or electricity to power motors, the round shape and arrangement of sails allow it to catch the wind and speedily roll in any direction. Mir’s site noted that the box kite sail arrangement is considerably efficient in using available winds. A kinetic generator produces enough energy to power the onboard computer, sensors, and motor.

Read the full article: Techxplore