NASA Climbing Robot Scales Cliffs and Looks for Life

Robots can land on the Moon and drive on Mars, but what about the places they can't reach? Designed by engineers as NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, a four-limbed robot named LEMUR (Limbed Excursion Mechanical Utility Robot) can scale rock walls, gripping with hundreds of tiny fishhooks in each of its 16 fingers and using artificial intelligence to find its way around obstacles. In its last field test in Death Valley, California, in early 2019, LEMUR chose a route up a cliff, scanning the rock for ancient fossils from the sea that once filled the area.

[ErikC_FPV]

Wow a NASA video that doesn’t look like it was produced in the 90s or early 2000s. Props to the producers and videographers

[derektrammell]

I love the innovation that we don't even see coming. Especially LEMUR's "paws". I remember when I'd heard of SpaceX's reusable rocket formula for instance - I was blown away. Keep it coming JPL, you inspire future scientists like me everyday!

[whatdamath]

David Attenborough's Planet Mars: Episode 1 - The Lemurs

[jcims]

You don't have to do all of your videos like this, but please continue to do some like this. What an absolute pleasure to watch. Don't be afraid to add credits in the description, they were well earned.

[gtwynet]

I don't know who films and edits these for JPL but they need a raise. Better cinematography than some films. Oh and the robot's claws are cool!!

[shagg]

LEMUR is truly amazing! It's so great that technology is progressing so fast for this purpose. I just wish space travel wasn't such a long term affair.

[nVolodimer]

I remember seeing this design on a CGI video in 2004, I didn’t understand its true purpose at the time, now it makes sense.
Kudos to the engineers.

[monkeylordofdoom]

If your trying to generate new public interest in space programs.... Then it's working!!! So cool!!!!

[simon]

Great video, thanks alot! The narrator did an amazing job, too.

[earthlingjohn]

If only this was deployable on Mars on the next landed mission !

It also needs a separate camera on the ground so we can watch it climb !!! 😁

[MyDigitalTeacher]

*That's gonna be super handy for planet exploration beyond earth*

[yemo]

JPL social media team>NASA social media team

[nicholashylton]

This is just too freaking amazing! The more I see of the upcoming generation of robot explorers, the more excited I get at the incredible discoveries to come from Mars, Titan and elsewhere in the solar system!! *_The unknown unknowns._*

[kingtoxmusic]

The heroes you never hear about, I have respect for all of you, love from Africa.

[machine]

The mechanism that articulates all those claws.... Amazing!

[possibleps]

02:48, So they still use Windows 7 lol.

[st-gelaisfrancois]

This technology could be useful as a climbing assistance and a package carrying device!

[rolandmdill]

Would love to see LEMUR free soloing El Cap

[peachtrees]

Great editing and camera work guys/gals. Luvit...

[MarkJonesisjustaman]

Dude..."Among the stars." Our descendants may one day see extrastellar life with a robot like this. That gets me amped in a good way.