Home Innovation Software Opteran's Neuromorphic Softwar...

Opteran's Neuromorphic Software to Offer New Era for Autonomous Space Robotics

Software

Intelligent, Exploration, Navigation, Surroundings

Business Honor
24 October, 2024

An innovative neuromorphic software leads Opteran to collaborate with Airbus and ESA in advancing rover autonomy

Opteran, the natural intelligence company, has announced its partnership with Airbus Defence and Space, under the support of the European Space Agency (ESA) and UK Space Agency, for the testing of Opteran's neuromorphic software called Opteran Mind on Airbus space rovers. This new software is changing the game of autonomy of space robotics. The possibilities it might unlock in future Mars missions and other exploration projects also become much more interesting.

Based on over ten years of research into animal and insect navigation and decision-making, Opteran is currently testing its technology at Airbus's Mars Yard, to boost the depth perception of rovers in tough off-world environments. The current space robots fail to properly operate because they spend tens of minutes computing maps of their surroundings before moving. Using Opteran's technology, a rover can understand its environment in milliseconds with up to 75% greater efficiency without significant increased power consumption.

By reverse engineering natural brain algorithms, Opteran's software allows for the intelligent exploration of complex terrains without great abundances of data or training. If this technology goes according to plan, navigation capabilities in extreme environments could be enhanced considerably so that rovers travel further and faster.

David Rajan, co-founder, and CEO of Opteran said, "We are really excited to be partnering with ESA and Airbus in demonstrating how Opteran's neuromorphic software addresses one of the key blockers for space autonomy." The project is funded by ESA's General Support Technology Programme to focus first on depth estimation, a component for obstacle detection, and later infrastructure-free visual navigation. They will look at further funding for its deployment and commercialization after first checks.