NASA Is Developing Shapeshifting Robots Like Transformers

Even if you haven’t watched Transformer, you may already know that the robots in that movie can switch between vehicle and humanoid forms, and then we have Transformers that feature independent components which can mesh together to form a machine. Now, NASA is working on a robot with a similar concept to the second option under the Shapeshifter project.

On Wednesday, the space agency shared some images of a Shapeshifter’s 3D-printed prototype, describing the prototype as a contraption resembling a drone packed in an elongated hamster wheel. Currently, the machine is undergoing tests at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory yard, California, US.

This yard is a dusty place, which is specifically designed for challenging machines that may face rugged conditions on Moons as well as other planets.

In the current test version of the Shapeshifter, there are two halves splitting apart and are able to fly as aerial drones. Besides, they can combine with each other to roll on the ground.

The team behind this robot is eyeing Saturn. NASA already plans to send a rotocraft to Saturn’s moon Titan along with mission Dragonfly which is set for 2026.

In a Shapeshifter's more advanced version, there would be a group of “cobots,” which basically are smaller robots. They could move independently, but they could also work together to conquer tough terrain, swim, explore caves, or even move a mothercraft lander from one position to another.

We are still at the really early stages of Shapeshifter's development under program Innovative Advanced Concepts of NASA. The team behind this robot has plans to apply for more funding from the space agency next year to continue their work on this project.