NASA is working on new, collapsible robot that doesn't need wheels to get around.
The Super Ball Bot rolls around on a series of rods connected by flexible cables, rather than tires.
The space agency recently did a demonstration of the machine for IEE spectrum, which you can learn more about in the video below.
The biggest benefit of the Super Ball is its size and weight — it has the potential to be smaller and lighter than traditional robots because it isn't made of rigid parts. The new-age robot wouldn't need heavy landing gear — like a parachute or retrorockets — because it's designed to "bounce to a landing" on the planet's surface.
The robot is being developed by NASA Ames Research Center in California. According to IEE Spectrum, the team thinks the robot would be well-suited for a mission to Saturn's largest moon Titan.
Here's a GIF of the bouncing bot:
You can learn more about the Super Ball Bot in the video below.
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