Researchers at the University of Texas have developed a new method for providing traction to rover wheels on planets and moons with low-gravity environments. The method, called “Traction by Elastic Instability” (TEI), uses an elastic material to increase the friction between the rover wheels and the planetary surface. This improved traction will give rovers more maneuverability on low-gravity worlds such as the Moon and Mars. The TEI system is expected to make it easier for rovers to traverse difficult terrain such as rocks, sand, and dust. The team is currently testing the system in a lab environment, and preliminary results have been promising. This new method of traction control could revolutionize exploration of off-Earth environments and provide new opportunities for scientific discovery.

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source: Phys.org