Cranfield University unveils wind-powered WANDER-bot
Image courtesy Cranfield University
Designed to spend long durations in hostile, windy environments such as certain deserts, polar regions or even other planets, WANDER-bot does notneed a battery to power movement, enabling longer operations without having to pause and recharge.
Movement accounts for around 20% of battery use in most robots, so running on natural energy makes WANDER-bot an efficient solution for long-term exploration or mapping of unknown terrains. As a result, any electronic elements added to future versions for data collection or transmission purposes could have their own smaller, lighter power source. Using natural energy also counters the issue of performance degradation over time in traditional power sources, such as solar cells and radioisotope thermoelectric generators.
Designed by Dr Saurabh Upadhyay and Sam Kurian, Research Associate in Space Engineering, the robot uses parts that are entirely 3D printed, with the design deliberately simple to allow for quick repair and replacement. This means that, in theory, you could print and construct WANDER-bot anywhere and make replacement parts in situ as needed, removing the need for time-consuming and costly resupply missions.
Inspiration for the robot’s eye-catching design came from Dutch artist Theo Jansen’s Strandbeesten creations. WANDER-bot uses the Jansen linkage mechanism in combination with a Savonius wind turbine to power its movement.
“There are many challenges when it comes to robotic exploration,” said Dr. Saurabh Upadhyay, Lecturer in Space Engineering at Cranfield University. “Battery capacity limits things like range, and technological complexity limits the ability to repair in an environment where human occupation would be minimal and their capability for manufacturing or maintenance is limited due to the harsh conditions.”
“WANDER-bot is a first step towards low-cost, repairable, self-sufficient robots that can explore environments that are currently difficult for humans to reach and work in, such as other planets, or places on Earth where it’s impractical for people to spend long periods of time.”
WANDER-bot was shown as a poster presentation at the European Space Agency’s ASTRA Conference 2025. This initial robot is a low TRL prototype, made to demonstrate how a robot can harness wind power to move. The next step will be to increase the manoeuvrability, giving WANDER-bot the ability to change directions and tackle more challenging terrain.
This research was supported by the UK-RAS Network+ at the University of Manchester and funded by the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
