A new low-cost, 3D-printed robot has been designed to traverse harsh environments using nothing but wind power, El.kz citesInteresting Engineering.
This prototype may offer a sustainable solution for long-term exploration on Earth and other planets by overcoming the need for batteries.
Researchers at Cranfield University have developed this robot, dubbed WANDER-bot.
Whether it’s a terrestrial desert, a polar ice cap, or the surface of another planet, this robot is designed to thrive wherever the wind is constant and the conditions are extreme.
“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,” said Dr. Saurabh Upadhyay, Lecturer in Space Engineering at Cranfield University.
Wind-powered mobility
WANDER-bot features an entirely 3D-printed, modular design that allows for on-site repairs. It reduces the need for expensive resupply missions.
Moreover, the robot’s movement is powered by a mechanical combination of two techniques.
It combines a Savonius wind turbine with the legendary Jansen linkage — the same multi-legged mechanism used by artist Theo Jansen in his famous “Strandbeesten.”
The beauty of WANDER-bot lies in its simplicity. In remote areas where humans aren’t around to help, high-tech systems are often too complex to fix if something goes wrong.
This design structure ensures that the robot can be manufactured and maintained anywhere, even in the most remote or extraterrestrial environments.
Currently, most space hardware is a nightmare to fix. If a gear snaps on the Moon, you can’t exactly call a mechanic. However, WANDER-bot is entirely 3D-printed.
Because the design is deliberately basic, astronauts or remote stations could simply print replacement parts in situ.
This print-as-you-go philosophy could end the era of expensive, years-long resupply missions. If a leg breaks in a Martian dust storm, the mission doesn’t end. The explorers could just hit print.
Battery efficiency
In most robotic designs, movement eats up roughly 20% of the total battery life.
WANDER-bot eliminates this drain entirely by mechanically driving its legs with a turbine. This leaves any onboard electronics — like cameras or sensors — free to run on much smaller, lighter power packs.
Also, WANDER-bot drastically increases its efficiency for long-term mapping missions by using wind power.
Furthermore, the robot avoids the inevitable performance decay seen in technologies such as solar panels or nuclear generators, ensuring a longer operational lifespan in the field.
There are many challenges when it comes to robotic exploration,” said Upadhyay.
“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,” Upadhyay added.
While still a low-TRL (Technology Readiness Level) prototype, WANDER-bot stole the spotlight at the European Space Agency’s ASTRA Conference 2025.
The prototype serves as a proof of concept for battery-free, wind-driven mobility, enabling continuous operation without recharging pauses.
The team’s next challenge is teaching the beast to turn. Future versions would feature enhanced maneuverability to tackle jagged polar ice or the shifting dunes of a foreign desert.