'Self-aware' space rovers would be speedy explorers

Robots armed with an innate sense of self and an insatiable curiosity could be the next big thing in interplanetary exploration, covering an alien terrain much faster than today's turtle-paced rovers.

Robotic explorers like NASA's Spirit and Opportunity spend their lives in the slow lane. Hazard avoidance software restricts them to a measly 10 seconds of movement, followed by 20 seconds of standing still, so that the area ahead can be carefully scanned for potential dangers.

But Josh Bongard of the University of Vermont, US, has designed a simulated rover that shows how to work much faster. This rover "imagines" itself and its immediate surroundings, and heads off to explore the areas that stimulate its curiosity. The approach lets it navigate uncharted territory much more quickly without putting itself in undue danger.

Read full story in NewScientist Tech