Toward Lunar Legged Robots: Field Deployment Lessons at LUNA
The LUNA campaign tested quadruped robots ANYmal-D and Magnecko in a lunar analogue facility to see if legged robots can handle steep, loose terrain. Challenges included foot sinkage and dust generation from movement. Perception was also affected by lunar lighting, such as overexposure and shadows. The study provides a benchmark dataset for future navigation systems that must account for real-world locomotion and lighting issues.