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I am probably the least knowledgeable on this subject, especially compared to the NASA scientists but why don't they send more "complex/capable" robots like the

I am probably the least knowledgeable on this subject, especially compared to the NASA scientists but why don't they send more "complex/capable" robots like the ones from Boston Dynamics instead of their rovers? I feel like a human type of robot mechanically would be much more capable of doing such tests than a rover with limited range of motion. The rovers already have a continuous wear and tear to their wheels (something I will guess the Boston Dynamics might be a bit better at as there is lesser surface area and rolling friction)?

jacobush 7y ago
Because for science per kilogram sent there, you'd get very little from such a robot. Hence very little science per dollar. (Also, I'd expect such a robot to break in short order.)
trickstra 7y ago
here is a talk about the architecture of a Mars rover: https://media.ccc.de/v/35c3-9783-the_mars_rover_on-board_computer https://media.ccc.de/v/35c3-9783-the_mars_rover_on-board_com... Boston Dynamics Atlas probably wouldn't survive the journey, nor the radiation, nor the heat swings. Mars rover is specifically designed to do handle crazy unknown failures, that's what makes it complex. Having a complex robot and trying to make it resistant to all those failure modes is simply too difficult for today's engineering.