`` I was speculating that whiskers could provide a planetary rover with the ability to feel its way around , '' he told CNN . ` ` ` Shrewbot '' aims to test whether artificial whiskers can help a human navigate . Robotics expert John Winfield suggests they could be useful for planetary rovers . He also wants to work on soft robotics that could aid space exploration . So - called ' soft robots ' might be able to adapt to an alien planet 's environment , he says .
` ` Shrewbot '' aims to test whether artificial whiskers can help a human navigate . Robotics expert John Winfield suggests they could be useful for planetary rovers . He also wants to work on soft robotics that could aid space exploration . So - called ' soft robots ' might be able to adapt to an alien planet 's environment , he says .