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Spinoff story

Robots Explore the Farthest Reaches of Earth and Space

A real-world story of NASA technology finding a life beyond the mission.

About this technology

Overview

Deep Ocean Engineering (DOE) Inc., of San Leandro, California, received several SBIR awards from NASA to develop remotely operated vehicle (ROV) technologies with Ames Research Center. DOE engineers developed a concept for a versatile and robust locomotion methodology based on snake and worm morphologies. This super snake has the ability to transition seamlessly from one environment to another, such as land to water to burrowing into soft sediment. DOE ROVs are in use by U.S. armed forces, Hydro Quebec, and more than 40 universities and scientific organizations.