Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Jaret Matthews is a robotics engineer and planetary exploration specialist whose work has fundamentally advanced humanity's capacity to traverse and utilize extreme extraterrestrial environments. Best known for his contributions to NASA's ATHLETE (All-Terrain Hex-Limbed Extra-Terrestrial Explorer) program, Matthews helped design and develop a groundbreaking wheel-on-limb robotic vehicle capable of both rolling and walking locomotion across challenging lunar terrain — research that has earned over 290 citations and remains a cornerstone reference in space robotics. His subsequent work on the Axel and DuAxel rover systems pushed the frontier further, tackling scientifically rich but previously unreachable destinations like steep planetary slopes and cliff faces, garnering nearly 90 additional citations across related publications. Matthews has also contributed to human-robot coordination studies at lunar base analog sites, demonstrating the practical integration of robotic systems with crewed surface operations. More recently, his research has turned toward lunar infrastructure challenges, including the critical problem of launch and landing pad site preparation to protect surface assets from regolith ejecta. Spanning aerial platforms, surface rovers, and lunar construction, Matthews's career reflects a broad, systems-level commitment to making sustainable planetary exploration a reality.