A major challenge when it comes to using robots to explore other planets is keeping them operating when there’s no way to repair them from Earth. Researchers at the GRASP Lab at the University of Pennsylvania have conducted what they call very preliminary work on robots made from ice that can repair themselves. The team, including Devin Carroll and Mark Yim, note they have only begun exploring the possibility of making robots from ice.
Building robots from ice is a serious challenge, but scientists believe ice exists on most planets, making it an abundant building material. Some things can’t be created from ice, such as batteries and electronic components. One big benefit of using ice for structural components of robots is that it’s easily modified using heat, and it can be cut and sculpted.
Ice can also be easily attached to itself.
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