A ground-breaking test bed for lunar exploration
Queensland University of Technology (QUT) is advancing robotics and autonomous navigation to ensure Australia’s first lunar rover stays on course. At the heart of the effort is Yandiwanba, a Yugara word meaning “to go from the ground to a higher place,” which names a large, purpose-built test bed at QUT. The facility measures 19 metres by 11.4 metres and is filled with lunar regolith simulant to recreate the Moon’s challenging terrain here on Earth.
“Yandiwanba allows us to recreate the challenges of lunar exploration here on Earth, so we can trial and refine the systems that will eventually guide Roo-ver on the Moon,” said Professor Pierre Peynot, who leads the project. A core aim is to use the lander as a landmark to guide the rover during a mission while operating with limited resources. Researchers are also probing visual object detection — such as recognising rocks, craters and other phenomena of interest — to improve autonomy and safety.
Navigating the Moon: challenges and practical approaches
The Roo-ver project faces a uniquely harsh environment. As Professor Michael Milford, Director of the QUT Centre for Robotics, notes, “There are no GPS satellites, the terrain is harsh and computing resources are limited. Our team is working on new approaches to robotic vision, scene understanding and localisation that will help keep Roo-ver safe and on course,” underscoring why cutting-edge perception and navigation are at the forefront of the mission.
To translate this research into real-world capability, the team is focusing on using the lander as a navigational landmark and developing robust visual understanding that can operate with constrained processing power. In addition, they are exploring how a rover can make reliable decisions when faced with uncertain terrain, variable lighting and potential dust interference — all critical elements for a lunar surface mission.
People, partnerships and a national ambition
Ben Sorensen, Mission Director for ELO2 and Roo-ver, highlighted the value of QUT’s contribution. “QUT is home to world-class testing facilities in Brisbane, and these are matched with the world-class expertise of their robotics researchers. Navigating the terrain of the lunar surface — 384,000 kilometres away — is an incredibly complex task, and the work Professor Peynot and his team are undertaking on Roo-ver’s navigation systems will be vital to the Mission’s success,” he said.
QUT’s robotics and earth sciences researchers — including Professor Niko Suenderhauf, Dr Dimity Miller from the Centre for Robotics, and Associate Professor David Flannery from the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences — bring together robotics vision, navigation technologies and planetary science expertise. The team is expanding a broader collaboration with the Australian Space Agency and partners in the ELO2 consortium to ensure the mission remains on track toward a successful lunar operation.
Funding, scope and the road ahead
The Australian Government has committed $42 million through the Australian Space Agency to support this phase of the Roo-ver mission. This investment recognises Australia’s strengths in robotics, automation, remote operations, engineering, science and advanced manufacturing, and aligns with the country’s growing role in international lunar exploration efforts. The work on Yandiwanba and Roo-ver also echoes wider scientific parallels — as Milford notes, there are striking similarities between operating on the Moon and extreme terrestrial environments, such as Antarctica, where related robotic systems have already been tested as part of sustainability initiatives.
With a talented team and robust facilities behind them, QUT’s work on Roo-ver’s navigation and perception systems aims to keep the rover on a safe, efficient trajectory toward lunar discovery. The project not only advances national capabilities in space robotics but also demonstrates how terrestrial laboratories can simulate and stress-test far-off missions with precision and care.
Broader impact for science and industry
Beyond the Moon, the technology and methodologies developed through Yandiwanba have potential applications in autonomous vehicles, remote sensing, disaster response and extreme-environment robotics on Earth. By bringing together education, research and government investment, QUT is contributing to a resilient pipeline of skills and innovations that can power Australia’s future as a leader in space robotics and remote operations.
