A Rule-Based Command Language For A Semi-Autonomous Mars Rover
Scott Y. Harmon · Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE · 1990
A rule-based command language has been developed for the control of a semi-autonomous planetary rover. This language is embedded within an advanced control concept which uses distributed blackboards, synchronous simulations of the rover and planetary conditions and extensive activity aids. Distributed blackboards make Earth-rover coordination easier and make extended autonomous operations more realistic. In addition, rule-based program flow control may be more effective than classical spaceflight programming models for rover control. Both of these capabilities take advantage of a highly autonomous and capable rover to make the exploration of Mars efficient and cost effective.