Ice robots could sculpt and repair themselves on other planets

The goal is to send this robot to icy planets where it can sculpt itself into being.
By Emmett Smith  on 
Ice robots could sculpt and repair themselves on other planets
Watch Next

Running, jumping, and flying: welcome to the future of robotics.


IceBot is a handmade, proof-of-concept ice robot created in the GRASP Lab at the University of Pennsylvania. While IceBot is currently looked at for Antarctic exploration, researchers hope it could one day be used in space exploration missions.

The idea is to have a robot that can build and repair itself using the abundantly available resources. On a cold planet, the robot could potentially source ice locally and use heat, water, or a power drill to sculpt and repair itself.

Topics Innovations


More from Strictly Robots
European electric flying car edging closer to commercial availability
European electric flying car edging closer to commercial availability



Somatic's toilet-cleaning robot is trained to clean up after you
Somatic's automated bathroom robot

Robots can learn like humans thanks to OpenAI spinoff
An illustration mimicking The March of Progress shows the evolution of a robotic arm.

Latest Videos

'Firebrand' trailer teases Jude Law as as an unnerving Henry VIII
A man dressed as a Tudor King looks shocked.





'The Fall Guy' stunt team break down their favorite stunts from the film
By Warren Shaw
The Fall Guy Stunts

Kristi Noem's other dog fears for his life on 'SNL' Weekend Update
A smiling man in a dog suit.

'I Saw the TV Glow' cast and crew play "Slash or Pass"
Justice Smith, Jane Schoenbrun, and Brigette Lundy-Paine of I Saw the TV Glow

TikTok Trouble, Meta’s AI Girlfriend Problem, and Doja Coin
U Need to Know This Episode 62

The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!