These moon robots could build stone walls to shield lunar bases

A researcher has proposed the idea of moon robots to build stone walls to shield lunar bases. This incredible innovation will revolutionize autonomous robotic technology.

Jonas Walther, a researcher, works with the Swiss Company; Venturi Lab developed the autonomous robotic hydraulic excavator. He has conducted a thesis at ETH Zürich for his master’s.

These robots are designed to autonomously collect materials on the moon’s surface and construct walls. Constructed dry walls can function as protection shields. 

The autonomous robotic hydraulic excavator can reduce traditional construction challenges, significantly cutting costs and logistical challenges. 

Breaking down the process: how It works

These robots use a hydraulic system to move heavy materials to the construction site, which operates by fluid pressure. It can operate independently without human assistance using preprogrammed algorithms and sensors.  

After collecting the boulders, it starts building dry walls at the designated construction site.

Core benefits

These robots use local lunar materials, so it avoids the high cost and logistical challenges associated with conventional transportation from Earth, and it will be beneficial for long-term lunar missions. 

The dry stone wall construction method used in this excavator is comparatively less energy intensive. This reduces energy consumption, which is a limited resource in the lunar. 

Using the existing materials on the Moon rather than using alternative foreign materials reduces ecological impact. The technology used in these robots can be adapted to future lunar projects. 

To sum it up, Jonas Walther has proposed the idea of moon robots to build stone walls to shield lunar bases. This represents a significant advancement in reducing costs and ecological impact for future lunar missions.

By using local materials and operating independently, these robots could transform how we approach construction in space.

Featured image credits: Space.com