Operating robotic systems on the Moon and Mars presents engineering challenges unlike anywhere on Earth.

Without GPS, reliable communications, or predictable environmental conditions, space robots must independently understand their surroundings, determine their location, and safely navigate complex terrain while operating in high-risk environments where failure is not an option.

This webinar explores how researchers at QUT’s Centre for Robotics are advancing perception, localisation, and autonomous navigation technologies for the next generation of planetary exploration missions. Drawing on work supporting Roo-ver, Australia’s first lunar rover, attendees will learn how engineers are tackling the challenges of GPS-denied navigation, terrain assessment, sensor integration, and decision-making in extreme environments.

The session will also showcase the role of advanced robotics, artificial intelligence, and real-world testing environments in developing systems capable of operating beyond Earth. Through insights from QUT’s state-of-the-art lunar testbed, Yandiwanba, attendees will gain an understanding of how emerging technologies are being tested and validated before deployment in mission-critical applications.

Whether your interest lies in robotics, autonomous systems, AI, defence, mining, infrastructure, or the future of space exploration, this webinar will provide practical insights into the engineering innovations shaping the next frontier of autonomous operations.