For planetary geologists and astrobiologists, deep samples offer an enormous wealth of invaluable information. Deep drills, though, present extreme engineering challenges, requiring the ability to automatically connect multiple drill string sections to extend the depth as drilling progresses. Over the past decade, Honeybee Robotics has been addressing these challenges one step at a time, testing in harsh field environments such as the Canadian Arctic.
Intelligent, fault-tolerant drilling and automation algorithms are consistent focal points in this ongoing program. Also, deep drilling necessitates robust mechanical and electrical connections; much of Honeybee's expertise in dust-tolerant connections has its roots in hard-earned deep-drilling field experience.