Pop-Up Flat Folding Explorer Robotics (PUFFER)

PUFFER is a low-volume, low-mass, low-cost mission enhancement for high-reward extreme terrain science

NASA funded: The PUFFER technology provides a simple, low-cost robotic mission enhancement for accessing new high-value extreme terrains that are beyond the scope of the primary mission. In this way, PUFFER extends the scientific yield of future NASA missions with little added cost and minimal burden. Currently funded NASA missions that can benefit from carrying add-on PUFFERs include the Mars 2020 rover and Europa lander. NASA unfunded: PUFFER can provide simple, low-cost robotic mobility for a wide variety of future NASA missions due to its low payload requirement. PUFFERs can provide surface mobility to otherwise stationary landers on planetary and small bodies. PUFFERs can also enhance the mobility of future rovers by providing access into difficult terrains that are beyond the design scope of the primary rover, or are better addressed with PUFFER's compact form factor. PUFFERs may also provide low-cost mobility benefits to future human missions by providing tele-robotic scouting and inspection capabilities. OGA: The PUFFER technology has applications in the DoD, DoJ and emergency response realms, where it can be used as a low-cost, stealthy, and easily-deployable tele-operated platform for reconnaissance, surveillance, or search-and-rescue type operations. Commercial: This item does not benefit the commercial space industry. Nation: The PUFFER effort is funding research in origami-inspired millirobots at U.C. Berkeley. The PUFFER effort is also working with Distant Focus Corp. (Champaign, IL), which is funded through SBIR, to advance novel folded optics technology which has many promising space and commercial applications.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 5) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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