A robot developed by the creators of Transformers, known as SORA-Q, has successfully landed on the moon as part of a mission by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). This ultra-compact lunar robot, also called the Lunar Excursion Vehicle-2 (LEV-2), was designed in collaboration with Japanese toy manufacturer Takara Tomy, JAXA, Sony Group, and Doshisha University.
Delivered to the lunar surface via the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) spacecraft during JAXA’s “Moon Sniper” mission, SORA-Q aims to showcase its movement capabilities and autonomous functions while navigating the moon’s challenging gravitational conditions.
Facing the challenge of creating a compact and lightweight lunar probe capable of independent exploration on the moon’s surface, engineers at JAXA’s design department sought alternative solutions. They found inspiration in the expertise of Takara Tomy, a company known for crafting toys. Takara Tomy utilized its toy-making knowledge to develop SORA-Q, making it as small and lightweight as possible.
Innovative features, including metamorphic mechanisms, were incorporated into SORA-Q’s development process. Takara Tomy hopes that the robot will not only serve scientific purposes in lunar exploration but also inspire children’s curiosity about natural sciences and space exploration.
SORA-Q, initially built in a spherical configuration with a diameter slightly larger than a baseball, transforms upon landing on the moon. As the lunar lander approaches a height of approximately two meters, it releases two lunar excursion vehicles (LEVs) into the air. SORA-Q then undergoes a metamorphosis, separating into wheels with autonomous control. In this configuration, a stabilizing wishbone-shaped tail emerges from its rear, and a camera module extends from its central core.
