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PUFFER robot
Robotics at JPL .

A-PUFFER

A foldable robot that can access tight spaces

Robot Statistics

Ability

Driving, Folding

Environment

Ground, Surface

Status

Completed (since 2020)

Potential Destinations

Earth, Moon, Mars, Icy Moons

Animal Analog: Puffer fish

About A-PUFFER

Inspired by origami, the foldable Autonomous Pop-Up Flat Folding Explorer Robot (A-PUFFER) was developed to scout regions on the Moon and gain information about locations that may be difficult for astronauts to investigate on foot, such as hard-to-reach craters and narrow caves.

Project manager Jean-Pierre de la Croix works on an Autonomous Pop-Up Flat Folding Explorer Robot (A-PUFFER) during recent trials in the Mars Yard at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Sensors

Off-the-shelf

The latest in the PUFFER series of robots features an upgraded onboard computer with a wireless radio for communication and a stereo camera for sensing the environment in front of it. The use of commercial off-the-shelf electronics and manufacturing capabilities enables low-cost production of multip

Agility

Collaboration

Because each A-PUFFER is small enough to fit in a shoebox, multiple robots can be deployed to work together cooperatively to support Earth science as well as future Mars and icy moon science mission concepts in ways that are not possible with a single rover.

Project manager Jean-Pierre de la Croix works on an Autonomous Pop-Up Flat Folding Explorer Robot (A-PUFFER) during recent trials in the Mars Yard at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Factoid

Off-the-shelf

The latest in the PUFFER series of robots features an upgraded onboard computer with a wireless radio for communication and a stereo camera for sensing the environment in front of it. The use of commercial off-the-shelf electronics and manufacturing capabilities enables low-cost production of multip

Factoid

Collaboration

Because each A-PUFFER is small enough to fit in a shoebox, multiple robots can be deployed to work together cooperatively to support Earth science as well as future Mars and icy moon science mission concepts in ways that are not possible with a single rover.

Image gallery

Gallery

A-PUFFER

Find Out More

Small Robots Practice Scouting Skills for Future Moon Mission
Robotics at JPL: PUFFER

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