Lunar Zebro: Dutch swarm robots on their way to the moon

Verhoeven is a pioneer in the field of swarm robots. These are multiple small robots that jointly perform a large task without central leadership. ‘A swarm is just like an ant colony,’ Verhoeven explains. ‘There is no leader. By interacting with each other, they can achieve something great together.’ This idea forms the basis of the Lunar Zebro project, an ambitious plan to send a swarm of small, six-legged robots to the moon. These robots are robust and can operate independently in the challenging conditions on the moon.

The inspiration for these robots comes from a surprising source. ‘I was once in the zoo and saw a beetle there. Suddenly I thought: this is my robot,’ Verhoeven says with a laugh. ‘The movements of the beetle, which has survived for millions of years, formed the perfect model for our small robots. The Zebro is actually an electric insect.’

Verhoeven sees huge opportunities for the Netherlands as innovation country. ‘The Netherlands has a rich history in space travel,’ Verhoeven explains. ‘We have satellites such as IRAS and the Delfi C3, but it is time to go a step further. The technologies we are developing for the Lunar Zebro are relevant for both commercial and scientific applications. In the Netherlands, we have a great many innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that can switch quickly and have a lot to offer in this sector.’

The Lunar Zebros have many practical advantages. Verhoeven sees a future in which swarm robots are essential for the exploration of the moon and Mars. ‘As an astronaut, you want to be able to trust your environment,’ he says. ‘The swarm robots can be everywhere at the same time and share information very quickly, making them an ideal partner for astronauts. For example, they can warn of solar flares or solve navigation problems.’

With a nod to films such as Pirates of the Caribbean, Verhoeven compares the Lunar Zebro with the legendary Black Pearl. ‘It’s not about the ropes and the wood, it’s about freedom. That is what the Lunar Zebro offers: freedom for astronauts to discover and explore, with the support of a reliable swarm of robots.’

Verhoeven believes that the Netherlands can play a leading role in the field of swarm robots. ‘We have everything in-house: from strong ICT to robotics and small, fast companies that are innovative,’ he emphasises. ‘The Netherlands can switch quickly and is perfectly positioned to fill this niche.’

Although the technologies are ready, Verhoeven emphasises that important cooperation between universities, companies and the government is still needed. ‘The government must support SMEs to take this step. We have previously seen how successful that can be with the development of the Dutch nanosatellite industry.’

What does the future hold for the Lunar Zebro? Verhoeven is optimistic: ‘We no longer have any technical obstacles. Everything we need to put a working rover on the moon is in our hands. It is now a matter of bringing together the resources and the right partners.’

If Verhoeven were given the opportunity to present the Netherlands as an innovative country, he would simply point to the moon and say: ‘Look, there is our flag. We have the chance to be the first European country to put something on the moon,’ Verhoeven concludes. ‘It is time to seize that opportunity.’