Mini space robot could run on mud

Navy researchers are exploring whether lowly bacteria found in soil can help survey the outer reaches of space.

The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory yesterday detailed a project to design a “microrover” robot that would be able to explore planetary bodies for long periods of time without human intervention.

To overcome the limitations of today’s batteries, researchers intend to use a microbial fuel cell to generate power for a small robot that would weigh about two pounds.

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