NASA's Perseverance Mars rover makes its first autonomous drive using a new, advanced system
According to NASA, AutoNav is equipped with more powerfultechnologies than its predecessor Curiosity. These features include the ability to create 3D maps of the area ahead, identify hazards, and plan routes around obstacles. This means Perseverance will be able to take more direct routes and travel at much faster speeds.
The agency said Perseverance can reach a top speed of about 120 meters per hour. That's about six times faster than Curiosity.
“We've sped up AutoNav four or five times -noted Michael McHenry, Head of Mobility and a member of the JPL Rover Planning Team. "We cover a lot more distance in less time than with Curiosity."
AutoNav will be a key feature thatwill allow the six-wheeled robot to complete a scientific campaign at the bottom of Jezero Crater. It involves scanning and drilling into the Martian soil for signs of ancient microscopic life.
“Now we can drive through more difficult sections, rather than bypass them. We couldn't do that before, ”said Jennifer Trosper, Mars 2020 Perseverance Project Manager.
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