Machine learning and control for advanced planetary rover operations

这项研究计划研究太空机器人，以及它们穿越具有挑战性的行星地形的能力。随着机器人太空探索的目标是月球和火星上越来越多的极端地形，对机器人如何识别和预测风险的准确理解提高了成功的机会。火星探索火星车精神号被困在软土中，以及火星科学实验室好奇号火星车轮子上的撕裂和穿孔，证明了这项研究将解决的一些当前火星漫游的挑战。这项研究的目标是在人工智能和最优控制方面取得进展，为火星车提供更多信息的风险分析和能源效率。除了应对当前的挑战，这项研究还为太空探索打开了新的机遇。例如，能够在更陡峭的沙质斜坡上行驶的先进漫游车，可以对大量新的陨石坑和山脉进行勘探。高效地规划机器人路线可以从电力匮乏的太空任务中获得更多。这些领域的研究将有助于保持加拿大在空间机器人领域的全球领先地位，这为加拿大经济提供了高科技工作机会，并激励下一代加拿大人追求科学和工程。空间机器人人工智能技术的发展将通过培训高素质人才、吸引和留住加拿大优秀人才、进一步加强加拿大的人工智能生态系统、创造新的就业或创业机会，以及为空间探索航天行业使用数据创造新的收入来源，在加拿大产生重大的社会经济影响。

This research program studies space robots, and their ability to traverse challenging planetary terrains. As robotic space exploration targets more and more extreme terrains on the Moon and Mars an accurate understanding of how robots can recognize and predict risks improves chances of success. The entrapment of the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit in soft soil and the tears and punctures in the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover's wheels demonstrate some of the current challenges of roving on Mars that this research will address.The goal of this research is to make advances in artificial intelligence and optimal control to produce better-informed risk analysis and energy-efficiency for rovers. In addition to addressing current challenges, this research also opens new opportunities for space exploration. Advanced rovers able to drive on steeper sandy slopes, for example, open exploration to a significant number of new craters and mountains. Efficient planning of robot routes can get more out of power-starved space missions.These areas of research will help maintain Canada's global leadership in space robotics, which provides the economy with a supply of high-tech jobs and inspires the next generation of Canadians to pursue science and engineering. The development of AI technology for space robotics will lead to significant socio-economic impact in Canada by training highly qualified personnel, attracting and retaining outstanding talent in Canada, further strengthening the AI ecosystem in Canada, creating new employment or entrepreneurship opportunities, and creating new revenue streams for the use of data in space exploration space industry.