Stanford’s Autonomous Systems Lab (ASL), under the leadership of Associate Professor Marco Pavone, is pioneering the development of cutting-edge robotic technologies to address human limitations and push the boundaries of exploration. From space robots to self-driving cars, the ASL aims to enhance safety, efficiency, and exploration capabilities.
Recognizing the imperfections of human capabilities, the ASL envisions a future where emerging technologies, such as self-driving cars and space robots, play a pivotal role in overcoming these limitations. Whether navigating unpredictable terrestrial environments or exploring the vacuum of space, robots offer potential solutions to challenges that humans encounter.
Stephanie Newdick, a PhD student in Pavone’s lab, notes that the efforts required to sustain human life in space are substantial, making robots a practical alternative. “It just makes more sense to send a robot,” says Newdick, emphasizing the potential of autonomous systems to undertake tasks efficiently and safely.
The ASL focuses on designing decision-making algorithms that treat various scenarios as cost-benefit optimization problems. For instance, self-driving cars need to calculate the fastest way to navigate intersections while avoiding obstacles and ensuring passenger safety. These algorithms consider fundamental driving principles, anticipate human reactions, and even account for complex cues in the environment.
To address challenges like recognizing context and learning from experience, the lab employs large language models. The goal is to create systems that can adapt and make informed decisions, similar to how humans rely on past experiences.
Decision-making prowess alone is insufficient; robots must effectively translate decisions into physical actions, particularly in unfamiliar environments like zero gravity. The ASL employs an air hockey table to test robot prototypes, simulating zero-gravity-like conditions to assess lateral motion capabilities.
Gripping tools, inspired by nature and designed for diverse surfaces, are crucial for ensuring robots can perform tasks effectively. These tools include microspines for irregular surfaces and gecko-inspired adhesives co-developed with the Cutkosky lab. Such technologies enable robots to perform tasks ranging from clearing debris to making repairs, reducing the need for astronaut involvement.
While the deployment of autonomous systems raises concerns about job displacement on Earth, the potential benefits for space exploration are limitless. The ASL’s ReachBot project, for instance, envisions a robot with extending arms to navigate Mars’s caves and tunnels without risking human life.
Marco Pavone acknowledges the ethical considerations associated with automation and job displacement, emphasizing the need to develop strategies to mitigate short-term challenges. However, when it comes to space exploration, the ASL remains focused on tackling increasingly complex environments.
“Learning where we came from, where the planets and stars came from – that’s always been a curiosity,” says Newdick. The ASL’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of exploration highlights its mission to contribute to advancements in science and technology, not just on Earth but beyond.
