Publikation
LunarCobot: Advancing Technologies and Coordination Approaches for Cooperative Lunar Robotics
Wiebke Brinkmann; Moritz Gewehr; Ayden Janssen; Jonas Eisenmenger; Raul Dominguez; Martin Mallwitz; Jonas Benz; Robin Sauerzapf; Nicolai Kallis; Mehmed Yüksel; Jakob Wehnes; Roman Szczuka; Moritz Schilling; Pierre Willenbrock; Daniel Pizzutilo; Amrita Suresh; Frank Kirchner; Sabine Klinkner; Udo Frese
In: The 77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC). International Astronautical Congress (IAC-2026), The 77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC), located at IAC 2026, October 5-9, Antalya, Turkey, International Astronautical Federation (IAF), 2026.
Zusammenfassung
Robotic systems and multi-robot teams are essential technologies for enabling human presence on the moon and supporting scientific experiments and infrastructure development projects. The LunarCobot project advances the maturity level of key technologies required for the deployment of heterogeneous robot teams in lunar space missions. The key technologies include: the development of a scalable, dynamic, quasi-direct-drive motor for planetary applications (e.g. dynamic walking robots) with associated motor electronics that is designed to meet the challenges of lunar environmental conditions; an advanced multifunctional interface for planetary applications that mechanically connects two systems and transfers electrical power and data between them for (re)configuration of modules or robotic systems; as well as hybrid space tether technology for robotic applications, which enables data and energy transmission over longer distances and is particularly important for supplying systems in permanently shadowed areas. Based on mission-specific conditions such as energy consumption, terrain characteristics or team configuration, each robot in the team needs to make decisions, and plan tasks and actions with a high amount of autonomy to enable successful missions. This paper presents the considered mission scenarios, existing components and robot systems, the key technologies with targeted Technology Readiness Level (TRL) increases, and how different heterogenous systems from different providers/institutions can be linked and work together within the LunarCobot project.
