The NASA Institute For Advanced concepts has awarded a research team developing a next-generation extraterrestrial exploratory platform two years worth of funding to refine their concept. The Ballbot, pictured left, is meant to be deployed onto hazardous surfaces in large groups. Unique spring mechanisms will spread individual microbots across wide areas where sensor readings will be collected and reported. To improve the mobility of these machines on rugged surfaces, where microbots could become stuck in crevices, the team will be testing prototypes on lava tube formations in New Mexico. Crude iterations of the BallBot will are projected to be complete by March 2006.

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