Research/ PLANETARY ROBOTICS
TRP - Towards a Highly Versatile Utility Rover for Planetary Exploration
Martin Görner, Bernhard Vodermayer, Wieland Bertleff, Andreas Dömel, Maximilian Durner, Riccardo Giubilato, Heinrich Gmeiner, Benedikt Heinrich, Kristin Lakatos, Peter Lehner, Annika Maier, Matthias Maurer, Antoine Pignède, Josef Reill, Angelo Rito, Ryo Sakagami, Florian Schmidt, Florian Schuler, Martin J. Schuster, Tom Schwab, Daniel Seidel, Marco Sewtz, Bertram Willberg, Tilo Wüsthoff, Armin Wedler
Perception & State EstimationOpenAlex topic: Robotics and Sensor-Based Localization · Manipulation & GraspingOpenAlex keyword: modular manipulator · Surface Mobility & TerramechanicsOpenAlex topic: Soil Mechanics and Vehicle Dynamics
Robotic systems are essential components of planetary exploration missions, providing both mobility and manipulation capabilities. While current systems are typically designed for a single, dedicated mission, future robots should be more versatile, adaptable, and modular to meet the demands of multi-role and multi-mission scenarios. This article presents the current stage of development of the TransRoPorter (TRP) — a highly versatile utility rover designed for future mission concepts. The rover features a torque-controlled leg-wheel suspension system, an advanced vision-based perception suite, and a manipulator equipped with a modular tool and payload interface. The TRP will serve as a terrestrial demonstrator for the development and evaluation of advanced autonomous robotic capabilities, as well as for investigating human–robot collaboration in planetary exploration contexts. Its first deployment will take place at the LUNA analog facility in Cologne, Germany.