PREVIEW

WORDS BYLINE: Hayley Chamberlain

A futuristic spherical robot that looks like it’s rolled straight out of a 1960s sci-fi set is being developed to take on the Moon’s most unforgiving landscapes – and one day, it could even save lives back on Earth.

The project, called RoboBall, is the brainchild of Dr. Robert Ambrose, now director of the Robotics and Automation Design Lab (RAD Lab) at Texas A&M University. Originally conceived in 2003 while Ambrose was at NASA, the robot is a perfect sphere – with no fixed top or bottom – designed to go where wheeled or legged rovers can’t.

“Dr. Ambrose has given us such a cool opportunity. He gives us the chance to work on RoboBall however we want,” said graduate student Rishi Jangale. “We manage ourselves, and we get to take RoboBall in any direction we want.”

The concept is deceptively simple – a “robot in an airbag.” The lab has built two prototypes so far: RoboBall II, a 2-foot-diameter model used for testing power and control algorithms, and RoboBall III, a giant 6-foot version capable of carrying cameras, sensors, or even sampling tools for real-world missions.

Inside its soft outer shell, a pendulum and motors on an axle provide propulsion. As the pendulum swings, it transfers momentum to the sphere, causing it to roll in the desired direction. This design means RoboBall never tips over and can even inflate or deflate itself to adjust traction.

In trials, RoboBall II reached speeds of up to 20 mph across grass, gravel, sand – and even water. “We didn’t anticipate hitting that speed so soon,” said graduate student Derek Pravecek. “It was thrilling, and it opened up new targets. Now we’re pushing even further.”

The idea might remind some of cult TV series The Prisoner, in which a terrifying white balloon-like robot rolled after would-be escapees. Ambrose’s spherical machine isn’t out to suffocate anyone – but it is designed to roam places conventional rovers can’t, like steep lunar craters or sandy beaches.

Upcoming field trials will take the robot to Galveston, Texas, where researchers will test its ability to roll from water onto land – a major obstacle for traditional vehicles. “Traditional vehicles stall or tip over in abrupt transitions,” Jangale explained. “This robot can roll out of water onto sand without worrying about orientation. It’s going where other robots can’t.”

While RoboBall’s sealed design offers protection, it also makes repairs tricky. “Diagnostics can be a headache,” said Pravecek. “If a motor fails or a sensor disconnects, you can’t just pop open a panel. You have to take apart the whole robot and rebuild. It’s like open-heart surgery on a rolling ball.”

With little prior research on soft-shelled rolling robots, the team is largely charting its own path. “Every task is new,” Jangale said. “We’re very much on our own. There’s no literature on soft-shelled spherical robots of this size that roll themselves.”

Still, the challenges are outweighed by the breakthroughs. “When it does something we didn’t think was possible, I’m always surprised,” said Pravecek. “It still feels like magic.”

Beyond space exploration, RoboBall could prove vital in disaster zones. “Imagine a swarm of these balls deployed after a hurricane,” Jangale said. “They could map flooded areas, find survivors and bring back essential data – all without risking human lives.”

Ambrose believes the project is proof that student-led innovation works best when researchers are given autonomy. “The autonomy Rishi and Derek have is exactly what a project like this needs,” he said. “They’re not just following instructions — they’re inventing the next generation of exploration tools.”

As RoboBall continues to evolve, the long-term goals include autonomous navigation, remote deployment from lunar landers or drones, and carrying out missions too dangerous for humans.

“Engineering is problem solving at its purest,” Ambrose added. “Give creative minds a challenge and the freedom to explore, and you’ll see innovation roll into reality.”

A futuristic spherical robot that looks like it’s rolled straight out of a 1960s sci-fi set is being developed to take on the Moon’s most unforgiving landscapes – and one day, it could even save lives back on Earth.

The project, called RoboBall, is the brainchild of Dr. Robert Ambrose, now director of the Robotics and Automation Design Lab (RAD Lab) at Texas A&M University. Originally conceived in 2003 while Ambrose was at NASA, the robot is a perfect sphere – with no fixed top or bottom – designed to go where wheeled or legged rovers can’t.

“Dr. Ambrose has given us such a cool opportunity. He gives us the chance to work on RoboBall however we want,” said graduate student Rishi Jangale. “We manage ourselves, and we get to take RoboBall in any direction we want.”

The concept is deceptively simple – a “robot in an airbag.” The lab has built two prototypes so far: RoboBall II, a 2-foot-diameter model used for testing power and control algorithms, and RoboBall III, a giant 6-foot version capable of carrying cameras, sensors, or even sampling tools for real-world missions.

Inside its soft outer shell, a pendulum and motors on an axle provide propulsion. As the pendulum swings, it transfers momentum to the sphere, causing it to roll in the desired direction. This design means RoboBall never tips over and can even inflate or deflate itself to adjust traction.

In trials, RoboBall II reached speeds of up to 20 mph across grass, gravel, sand – and even water. “We didn’t anticipate hitting that speed so soon,” said graduate student Derek Pravecek. “It was thrilling, and it opened up new targets. Now we’re pushing even further.”

The idea might remind some of cult TV series The Prisoner, in which a terrifying white balloon-like robot rolled after would-be escapees. Ambrose’s spherical machine isn’t out to suffocate anyone – but it is designed to roam places conventional rovers can’t, like steep lunar craters or sandy beaches.

Upcoming field trials will take the robot to Galveston, Texas, where researchers will test its ability to roll from water onto land – a major obstacle for traditional vehicles. “Traditional vehicles stall or tip over in abrupt transitions,” Jangale explained. “This robot can roll out of water onto sand without worrying about orientation. It’s going where other robots can’t.”

While RoboBall’s sealed design offers protection, it also makes repairs tricky. “Diagnostics can be a headache,” said Pravecek. “If a motor fails or a sensor disconnects, you can’t just pop open a panel. You have to take apart the whole robot and rebuild. It’s like open-heart surgery on a rolling ball.”

With little prior research on soft-shelled rolling robots, the team is largely charting its own path. “Every task is new,” Jangale said. “We’re very much on our own. There’s no literature on soft-shelled spherical robots of this size that roll themselves.”

Still, the challenges are outweighed by the breakthroughs. “When it does something we didn’t think was possible, I’m always surprised,” said Pravecek. “It still feels like magic.”

Beyond space exploration, RoboBall could prove vital in disaster zones. “Imagine a swarm of these balls deployed after a hurricane,” Jangale said. “They could map flooded areas, find survivors and bring back essential data – all without risking human lives.”

Ambrose believes the project is proof that student-led innovation works best when researchers are given autonomy. “The autonomy Rishi and Derek have is exactly what a project like this needs,” he said. “They’re not just following instructions — they’re inventing the next generation of exploration tools.”

As RoboBall continues to evolve, the long-term goals include autonomous navigation, remote deployment from lunar landers or drones, and carrying out missions too dangerous for humans.

“Engineering is problem solving at its purest,” Ambrose added. “Give creative minds a challenge and the freedom to explore, and you’ll see innovation roll into reality.”