The Canine Robotic Beasts, affectionately known as CRB, are a product of groundbreaking collaboration between researchers from the University of Washington and the Mars Institute. These robotic marvels possess an innate ability to detect subtle scents at levels of just a few molecules per cubic meter. The unique physiology and keen sense of smell of these CRBs serve as the perfect tools for exploring the Mars landscape and, more importantly, locating any signs of life that may lay hidden on the Red Planet.
In 2021, CRB’s ventured into the Northwest caverns where they were challenged to navigate through winding tunnels, tight spaces, and deceptive scents. The challenging labyrinth offered a unique setting for the CRBs to adapt to the extreme and uncontrollable environmental conditions of Mars. Dr. Gina A. Iturri, who spearheads the research at the University of Washington, has expressed great optimism about the project’s potential for revolutionizing exploration methods on Mars and Earth alike.
“Each day that passes, we are one step closer to demystifying the past and breaking into the future of life detection technology,” Iturri says. The technology behind CRB’s is advanced and holistic, utilizing bio-inspired computing with cutting-edge machine learning systems to increase the speed and accuracy of scent detection, much like that of a bloodhound.
Although the team’s research is still in the early stages, it represents a stepping stone towards further exploration of the Martian surface and potentially detecting signs of past life. As technology advances, CRB’s may one day embark on long-duration missions to Mars, proving invaluable tools in the quest to uncover hidden mysteries from our solar system’s enigmatic fourth planet.
