NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is developing an autonomous, snake-like robot named EELS (Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor) that can explore previously inaccessible terrains. Initially inspired by the objective of exploring oceans below the icy crust of Saturn's moon, Enceladus, EELS has evolved into a highly adaptable robot capable of traversing a wide variety of terrains on Earth, the Moon, and beyond. The robot uses screw threads for propulsion, traction, and grip, and employs an array of sensors and navigation algorithms to autonomously sense its environment, calculate risk, and determine the safest path forward. The team behind EELS emphasizes rapid iteration—build quickly, test often, learn, adjust, repeat—to continuously refine both the hardware and software, allowing the robot to tackle unprecedented challenges in robotic exploration.
