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Curiosity Goes Autonomous For the First Time

Posted by Soulskill on from the makes-a-break-for-mons-olympus dept.

Zothecula writes "NASA took the metaphorical training wheels off the Mars rover Curiosity on Tuesday, as the unmanned explorer took its first drive using autonomous navigation. It used its onboard cameras and software to select and drive over an area of ground that mission control at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California couldn't see and vet beforehand. This capability allows the nuclear-powered rover to negotiate the most direct route to Mount Sharp rather than having to detour to find routes that can be seen directly by Curiosity before entering, so they can be analyzed by mission control."

8 of 32 comments (clear)

  1. Without human input... by barlevg · · Score: 5, Interesting

    might we be able to find out what makes Curiosity... curious?

  2. I hope it doesn't encounter any Martian felines by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Because we all know what Curiosity does to cats.

    1. Re:I hope it doesn't encounter any Martian felines by barlevg · · Score: 5, Funny

      http://weeklyworldnews.com/headlines/50702/curiosity-kills-martian-cat/

    2. Re:I hope it doesn't encounter any Martian felines by Tarlus · · Score: 2

      Yes, but curiosity is a rover.

      It's a dog, then?

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      /* No Comment */
  3. Hey! by mdsolar · · Score: 4, Funny

    Don't drive on my ancestor you nuclear freak!

  4. Run for the hills my martian brethren! by arcite · · Score: 4, Interesting

    The mechanical beast has been set free! An unstoppable nuclear powered thinking mind, with a lust for martian blood!

  5. Re:An Earth Projection? by amicusNYCL · · Score: 2

    Right, I want a car that stops periodically to take pictures before driving at walking speed over any perceived obstacle.

    --
    "Our two-party system is like a bowl of shit looking at itself in a mirror." - Lewis Black
  6. Re:An Earth Projection? by CreatureComfort · · Score: 4, Funny

    Better than a car that slows periodically to take pictures before driving at speed over any perceived walkers.

    --
    "Unheard of means only it's undreamed of yet,
    Impossible means not yet done." ~~ Julia Ecklar