China trains robot dogs for lunar missions as NASA pushes ahead with Artemis II

Chinese researchers are training robot dogs for future Moon missions and deep space exploration to ensure its dominance on the lunar surface.

Researchers from Peking University in a recent breakthrough have developed two specialized robotics dogs for exploring the lunar surface and tested them in a cave in north-eastern China.

As per the social media post, these prototypes were tested in a lava cave in China’s northern Heilongjiang province. As per researchers’ observations, the cave is “strikingly similar to the underground space of the moon.”

Testing their performance and efficiency in a “lunar-like lava tube environment” has given insight in intelligence technologies used in deep-space exploration.

The model of one robot dog was based on an anteater, meant for multifunctional tasks and exploring more complex spaces. The second robot was inspired by a salamander with movable parts designed for traversing rough terrain and reconnaissance.

Besides navigating the rugged terrain, these robotic dogs could operate autonomously, evade obstacles, develop maps and record highly-accurate 3D structures.

The latest research is part of China’s ambitions to establish human bases on the lunar surface. China hopes to send astronauts on the Moon before 2030 and establish an International Lunar Research station with international collaboration by 2035.

The deployment of robotic dogs came following NASA’s announcement on the Artemis II program, launching the four astronauts around the Moon orbit.