Biomimicry Inspires New Mars Rover Wheel Design Based on Sandfish Skink Locomotion

Researchers at the University of Würzburg are developing a novel wheel design for Mars rovers based on the locomotion of the sandfish skink. This biomimicry approach aims to improve rover mobility in sandy environments, where conventional wheels often struggle. The sandfish wheels generate both longitudinal and lateral forces, mimicking the animal's swimming motion in sand. While the initial designs faced challenges such as being too narrow and heavy, the researchers have made improvements to address these issues. The current design is lighter and wider, leading to improved performance on sand. However, the sandfish wheel design still needs further refinement to perform well on rocky and mixed terrains. The ESA is targeting a Mars surface mission in 2035, which could potentially utilize the sandfish wheel design if it is perfected by then. The Rosalind Franklin rover, scheduled to launch in 2028, will not use this new wheel design. This research highlights the potential of biomimicry to inspire innovative solutions for space exploration challenges.

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