In the near future, robots exploring other planets could find their way around thanks to the work of scientists from Costa Rica. According to a press release by the University of Costa Rica (UCR), researchers at the Image Processing and Computer Vision Research Laboratory (IPCV-LAB) recently got their hands on a new toy that will help them achieve this goal.

With an investment of $13,500, UCR acquired a Husky A200 robot designed for guided terrestrial navigation. This robot will serve as a platform to put the final touches on an algorithm that will improve the autonomous navigation systems of robots such as the Mars rovers launched by the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

The project is being coordinated by Professor Geovanni Martinez, a brilliant engineer who is also the 2002 recipìent of the coveted Clodomiro Picado Award for Excellence in Science. What Professor Martinez hopes to achieve with the Husky A200 robot is to validate the monocular visual odometer algorithm for planetary exploration.

When it comes to planetary exploration, robots such as NASA’s Curiosity rover face great navigational challenges. On Earth, we can simply add Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to devices; in other planets, however, navigation is a tricky exploration affair. NASA currently uses an algorithm that is based on a visual stereoscopic odometer solution, which is rather expensive and has not prevented the Mars Curiosity rover from becoming stuck in the sand.

The monocular visual odometer algorithm addresses the issue above by analyzing images collected by monocular cameras and arranging them in a trajectory estimate. The algorithm calls for the comparison of images and evaluates the differences in density and other measurements. In other words, a planetary exploration robot would receive an order to follow a certain trajectory from mission control and then compare the order to real terrain conditions. This would allow a higher degree of robotic autonomy and prevent issues such as becoming stuck in extraterrestrial mud.

The work of the IPCV-LAB does not aim to replace the algorithm currently in used by NASA, but to rather merge both algorithms and improve autonomous robotic navigation and exploration in other planets. The algorithm proposed by Costa Rica is far cheaper to implement since it does not call for stereoscopic cameras. In essence, the algorithmic enhancement would call for lighter, energy-efficient cameras -typical of the engineering philosophy of Costa Rica.

To think that one day an algorithm crafted in Costa Rica will augment the navigation systems of robots in Mars and other planets is a matter of pride for many Ticos, but it would not be the first time. Costa Rica has already worked with NASA in matters related to scientific drones and instrumentation used in space missions. There’s also, of course, the Ad Astra Rocket Company and its groundbreaking (or is it space-breaking?) VASIMR propulsion system, which one day will power the first manned mission to the Red Planet.