The robot doesn't need a battery for movement, allowing it to operate for longer periods.

WANDER-bot (Image from Cranfield University)) 

An Undying Robot: WANDER-bot Conquers Planetary Exploration Challenges

Researchers at Cranfield University in England have created the WANDER-bot, a low-cost, 3D-printed robot powered by wind energy. As a result, any electronic components added to future versions of the robot for data collection or transmission can use a smaller, lighter power source.

Designed to operate for extended periods in harsh and windy environments, such as some deserts, polar regions, and even other planets, this robot doesn't require a battery for movement, enabling it to operate for longer periods without needing to stop and recharge.

Movement accounts for approximately 20% of battery usage in most robots, so relying on natural energy makes the WANDER-bot an effective solution for long-term exploration or mapping uncharted terrain, according to a report by the technology news site Tech Xplore.

Furthermore, using natural energy mitigates the performance degradation over time problem of traditional power sources, such as solar cells and radioisotope thermoelectric generators. Designed by Saurabh Upadhyay and Sam Kurian, the robot uses entirely 3D-printed parts and features a deliberately simple design to facilitate quick repairs and replacements.

This theoretically means that the WANDER-bot could be printed and manufactured anywhere, with spare parts produced on-site as needed, eliminating costly and time-consuming procurement missions.

“There are many challenges to robotic space exploration,” said Saurabh Upadhyay, a lecturer in aerospace engineering at Cranfield University. “Battery capacity limits things like range, the complexity of the technology limits repairability in a sparsely populated environment, and manufacturing and maintenance capabilities are limited by harsh conditions.”

The WANDER-bot is a prototype with a low level of technological maturity and was designed to demonstrate how a robot can harness wind power for propulsion. The next step will be to increase the maneuverability of the "WANDER-bot", giving it the ability to change directions and deal with more challenging terrain.