Montreal researchers developing AI that could help us settle the moon
In the halls of Polytechnique Montréal, the sight of an articulated robot climbing the stairs barely distracts students, who are accustomed to being surrounded by futuristic technology.
"I can actually tell it where I want it to go," explains engineering professor Giovanni Beltrame, demonstrating other robots he uses with his newly assembled research unit.
The unit, called Astrolith, is developing a type of artificial intelligence that could one day contribute to lunar exploration.
Astrolith makes computers and software that can be adapted to various exploration devices like drones and robots.
"We are putting together a lot of professors, 18 professors in fact, with different expertise, so we can move forward lunar engineering in view of permanent settlement on the moon and beyond," Beltrame said.
The last time Americans took a rover to the moon was in 1972.
But the race for lunar exploration is heating up again. Several countries, including Japan this month, have landed lunar modules.
Americans and Canadians are also participating in manned exploration over the next two years as part of the Artemis missions.
Except this time, the scientific world has much more ambitious goals -- and this is where the team at Polytechnique comes into play.
"In the future, I would say the near future, mining will be a thing because it's very important to build settlements on the moon, so you need to mine your own resources there," said Beltrame.
The engineering in development by Astrolith could even change how we exploit our own planet: "It's also possible that mining in space might be more advantageous than mining on Earth due to the environmental effects of mining here."
The sensors being developed are so advanced that the cameras on the robots can map out their environment in 3D and respond accordingly.
Beltrame is surrounded by young masters and PhD students eager to rediscover the lunar ambitions that drove NASA in the 1960s.
"Actually, it would be my dream to live on the moon, but that's a little early for that. But we're working on it," said Astrolith member Guillaume Ricard.
It's a new space age for a team striving to carve its own legacy onto the lunar surface.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Baby, grandparents among 4 people killed in wrong-way police chase on Ontario's Hwy. 401
A police chase which started with a liquor store robbery in Bowmanville Monday night ended in tragedy some 20 minutes later when a suspect fleeing police entered Highway 401 in the wrong direction and caused a pileup which killed an infant and the child's grandparents, as well as the suspect, investigators say.
McGill requests 'police assistance' over pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University says it has 'requested police assistance' about the pro-Palestinian encampment on its lower field.
Freeland tables motion previewing omnibus budget bill
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland will be tabling yet another omnibus bill to pass the sweeping range of measures promised in her April 16 federal budget.
Judge holds Trump in contempt, fines him US$9,000 and raises threat of jail in hush money trial
Donald Trump was held in contempt of court Tuesday and fined US$9,000 for repeatedly violating a gag order that barred him from making public statements about witnesses, jurors and some others connected to his New York hush money case. If he does it again, the judge warned, he could be jailed.
Air Canada walks back new seat selection policy change after backlash
Air Canada has paused a new seat selection fee for travellers booked on the lowest fares just days after implementing it.
Court upholds Milwaukee police officer's firing for posting racist memes after Sterling Brown arrest
The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that a former Milwaukee police officer was properly fired for posting racist memes related to the arrest of an NBA player that triggered a public outcry.
New cancer treatment approved, but not everyone thinks it's what's best for patients
A new cancer treatment recently approved in Canada promises to cut treatment time down to just minutes, but experts have differing opinions on whether it's what's best for patients.
T. rex is at the centre of a debate over dinosaur intelligence
Surmising even the physical appearance of a dinosaur - or any extinct animal - based on its fossils is a tricky proposition, with so many uncertainties involved. Assessing a dinosaur's intelligence, considering the innumerable factors contributing to that trait, is exponentially more difficult.
Province boots mayor and council in small northern Ont. town out of office
An ongoing municipal strike, court battles and revolt by half of council has prompted the province to oust the mayor and council in Black River-Matheson.