For Toy-Like NASA Robots in Arctic, Ice Research Is Child's Play

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SnoMotes measure just two feet long and one foot wide enabling their light weight bodies to traverse volatile terrain more effectively and without endangering scientists. Credit: University of Alaska SoutheastAlex Bogolepov
SnoMotes measure just two feet long and one foot wide, enabling their light weight bodies to traverse volatile terrain more effectively and without endangering scientists. Credit: University of Alaska Southeast/Alex Bogolepov

Several snowmobiles navigated speedily over arctic ice and snow in Alaska's outback in late June. This scene might seem ordinary except that the recently unveiled snowmobiles are unmanned, autonomous, toy-size robots called SnoMotes – the first prototype network of their kind envisioned to rove treacherous areas of the Arctic and Antarctic capturing more accurate measurements that will help scientists better understand what is causing the well-documented melting of ice in those regions.


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