Mole‐Inspired Robot Burrowing with Forelimbs for Planetary Soil Exploration

Abstract

Mole-Inspired Robot for Planetary Exploration This cover image (referring to article 2300392 by Tao Zhang, Kunyang Wang, Kun Xu, and co-workers) shows a mole-inspired robot burrowing inside the lunar regolith to create a small cave for in-situ detection or instrument placement in extraterrestrial subterranean exploration. The mole-inspired robot (child robot) connects to a rover (mother robot) with a cable for communication, power supply, and retraction. The rover first creates a cave entrance to fix the mole-inspired robot, and then the robot can burrow into the cave with low power consumption and high energy efficiency.