Korean scientists develop an unusual mole-inspired robot

The roboteers were inspired by the work of their European and African colleagues.' work. 

The team of scientists from Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have created a robot for digging trenchesing. They used the European mole and the African gopher as the prototypes. The former digs holes using its paws, while the latter does the same with its cutting teeth. The device is supposed to be used both on Earth and for scientific use on other planets. 

The unusual creature weighs around 26 kg. Its size is 84 x 25 cm. It uses its front teeth as a drill, loosening the soil, and then discards it with its manipulators, combining the advantages of the in itself previous two developments. The machine moves on three tracks, providing good passability, which is important in space conditions. The robot knows how to position itself in space, guided by the magnetic pole of the planet.

Compared to its "colleagues", the machine is cheaper to produce, more environmentally friendly, and offers freedom of maintenance.