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Related Links
Carnegie-Mellons Personal Exploration Rovers Page
Intel Research PER Page
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As NASA's twin robot geologists Spirit and Opportunity explore the surface of Mars, Personal Exploration Rovers let kids and adults experience the thrill of exploring the red planet from Earth.
"The Personal Exploration Rover is part of a larger project to develop low-cost robotic devices that can be used in education, science museums and the home," said Daniel Clancy, director of information sciences and technology at NASA Ames Research Center. . "In the future, you will be able to bring one of these home for your kids. The robot will be able to move around your house, take pictures, interact with your dog, and do other tasks," he added.
Developed by researchers at Carnegie Mellon University with support from NASA and Intel Corp., the Personal Exploration Rovers (PERs) reside in 'Mars yards,' specially designed to mimic martian terrain at the new Exploration Center at NASA Ames.
The Personal Exploration Rover can be seen and played with at the following location. Dates indicate approximate opening dates.
The National Science Center (Augusta, GA) Jan. 24
The San Francisco Exploratorium (San Francisco, CA) Jan. 2
The Smithsonian Air and Space Museum (Washington) Jan. 3
The Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center (Dulles Airport) Jan. 24
The NASA/Ames Mars Center (Mountain View, CA) Dec. 29
Museum visitors will access the PERs through a kiosk directing robots to scan rocks and soil for signs of life. Equipped with cameras, PERs are able to create a panoramic, 360-degree image and can also detect obstacles using an optical rangefinder.
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