`` Almost any planetary exploration robot is likely to need a gripper to pick up or collect rock samples for analysis or collection , '' he said on his blog . ` `` Shrewbot '' aims to test whether artificial whiskers could help a robot navigate . The team at the University of California, Berkeley, has developed an algorithm that can identify objects in images by analyzing their shape and size. He also points to work on soft robotics that could aid space exploration . So-called 'swarm robots ' might be able to adapt to an alien planet 's environment , he says .
`` Shrewbot '' aims to test whether artificial whiskers could help a robot navigate . The team at the University of California, Berkeley, has developed an algorithm that can identify objects in images by analyzing their shape and size. He also points to work on soft robotics that could aid space exploration . So-called 'swarm robots ' might be able to adapt to an alien planet 's environment , he says .