An origami - inspired version may be heading for Mars on the next mission . The stand - up flat folding explorer robot ( Puffer ) can fold itself nearly flat and crawl into spaces normal space rovers can not reach . It can also fall into pits or craters and climb up 45-degree slopes . The microbot is being built by Nasa scientists at the Jet Research Lab in Pasadena , California as a companion to a traditional rover . It can also clamber up 45-degree slopes, check out overhangs and even fall into pits or craters. Several of the devices could be used on a mission to increase the amount that could be done in a single day , Puffer project manager Chris Smith said .
An origami - inspired version may be heading for Mars on the next mission . The stand - up flat folding explorer robot ( Puffer ) can fold itself nearly flat and crawl into spaces normal space rovers can not reach . It can also fall into pits or craters and climb up 45-degree slopes . The microbot is being built by Nasa scientists at the Jet Research Lab in Pasadena , California as a companion to a traditional rover . Several of the devices could be used on a mission to increase the amount that could be done in a single day , Puffer project manager Chris Smith said .