A new rover control system inspired by insect brains is undergoing testing, showcasing a potential leap forward in autonomous exploration. Created by UK startup Opteran, the “Opteran Mind” software is designed to mirror the neurological efficiency seen in insects, such as bees, which can navigate complex environments with only a million neurons compared to the human brain’s 86 billion. This system allows for rapid, low-power navigation without the extensive data requirements traditional AI needs.
Unlike current rovers that require minutes to process environmental data before moving, Opteran’s technology processes visual depth in milliseconds, enhancing efficiency and reducing power usage, both crucial for space missions. The system is currently being tested with Airbus at their Mars Yard in Stevenage, UK, with support from the European and UK Space Agencies. This technology could ultimately allow rovers to navigate Mars’ rugged terrain more continuously and autonomously, potentially opening doors for smaller, more energy-efficient exploration robots in future space missions.
The Opteran Mind software represents a major shift in autonomous navigation technology, drawing on the simplicity and energy efficiency of insect brain function to enhance robotic navigation. This approach contrasts with traditional artificial intelligence, which typically relies on massive data processing. Instead, Opteran’s system mimics “natural intelligence,” an adaptive navigation model derived from over ten years of insect vision research at the University of Sheffield.
The technology capitalizes on insects’ lightweight neural frameworks—particularly the honeybee’s—for complex tasks like obstacle avoidance, environmental mapping, and resource conservation. For instance, while today’s Mars rovers may take several minutes to analyze and act upon their environment, Opteran Mind achieves similar results in milliseconds, navigating with minimal data input. The software’s visual depth perception operates at up to 90 frames per second, ensuring a smoother, near-instantaneous response to terrain, a valuable asset for off-world missions where every gram and watt matters.
Currently, Opteran is collaborating with Airbus Defence and Space to test this system in simulated Martian conditions at the Airbus Mars Yard. With funding from the European Space Agency (ESA) and the UK Space Agency, this partnership aims to refine the software for potential future deployment on Mars. The immediate focus is on enhancing rovers’ depth perception and obstacle detection, but the broader vision involves infrastructure-free navigation. In essence, Opteran’s approach offers not only benefits for space exploration but also holds potential for mining, disaster relief, and autonomous vehicles on Earth.