EELS: This Snake-like Robot Is Set to Slither on Saturn's Moon, Look for Signs of Life

A snake is set to slither its way to Saturn's moon!

In collaboration with Carnegie Mellon University's Robotic Institute, a team of roboticists at the California Institute of Technology's Jet Propulsion Laboratory has developed a snake-like robot for potential exploration of Enceladus, Saturn's sixth-largest moon.

The robot was designed to maneuver across Enceladus's icy terrain, which presents various challenges.

Snake Robot Aims to Search for Signs of Life in Saturn's Moon

Enceladus, primarily covered in ice, boasts a diverse surface landscape, including flat expanses, ridges formed by shifting ice masses, and impact craters.

Recent discoveries have revealed the presence of a subsurface ocean on Enceladus, along with observed water-based plumes emanating from its southern regions.

These revelations have sparked speculation among scientists about the possibility of life existing beneath the moon's icy exterior. In response, the engineers developed a prototype of a robot to explore Enceladus and search for potential signs of life.

The robot prototype, measuring approximately 4 meters in length, consists of a head housing a computer and several body segments connected by ball joints.

These joints allow the segments to pivot independently, facilitating movement across the challenging terrain. Each segment features a corkscrew-like exterior designed for locomotion.

The latest findings on the robot were published in the journal Science Robotics.

All About the EELS

Dubbed EELS (Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor), the autonomous robot is designed to autonomously navigate, map, and explore previously inaccessible regions, inspired by the desire to investigate potential life in Enceladus' subterranean ocean through narrow surface vents that eject geysers into space.

Matthew Robinson, the project manager, emphasized the importance of versatility in a robot designed for such uncertain and uncharted terrain. He highlighted the necessity for a robot capable of making autonomous decisions and navigating safely through unknown environments.

"It has the capability to go to locations where other robots can't go. Though some robots are better at one particular type of terrain or other, the idea for EELS is the ability to do it all," Robinson said in a statement.

"When you're going places where you don't know what you'll find, you want to send a versatile, risk-aware robot that's prepared for uncertainty - and can make decisions on its own."

Development of the EELS project began in 2019, with continuous revisions and monthly field tests since then. The robot, known as EELS 1.0 in its current form, weighs about 220 pounds and spans 13 feet in length. The robot employs screw threads for propulsion, traction, and grip with 10 identical rotating segments.

According to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), the final version of the robot will feature 48 actuators, which will provide flexibility and maneuverability in different environments.

These actuators, equipped with force-torque sensing capabilities, enable the robot to adjust its movements dynamically and rapidly navigate complex terrains.