L2-ROB-NAV
CRITICAL
ROBOTICS
Level 2 · software
Robot Navigation and Coordination
Robot Navigation, Localization, and Coordination System
SLAM-based path planning, multi-robot coordination, and collision avoidance system
Purpose
Enable autonomous navigation and coordinated multi-robot operations throughout the Ark
Context
Component of L1-ROB within the Lunar Ark system
Principles
- ▸SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) builds maps while navigating
- ▸Multi-robot coordination prevents collisions and optimizes task allocation
- ▸Path planning with obstacle avoidance enables autonomous navigation
- ▸Fiducial markers and beacons augment sensor-based localization
Typical implementations
- ▸Mars rover autonomous navigation (AutoNav on Curiosity/Perseverance)
- ▸ROS Navigation Stack (move_base, AMCL, costmap)
- ▸Boston Dynamics Spot autonomous navigation in industrial facilities
- ▸Warehouse AMR fleet management systems (Locus Robotics, 6 River)
Lunar considerations
- ▸GPS not available - must use local reference frame and landmarks
- ▸Extreme lighting conditions (bright sunlit vs. deep shadow) challenge visual navigation
- ▸Regolith terrain is unstructured and may shift due to robot traffic
- ▸Interior navigation within structured Ark modules vs. exterior navigation on regolith surface
Specifications
Functional
| primary function | Enable autonomous navigation and coordinated multi-robot operations throughout the Ark |
Operational
| thermal range c | -173, 127 |
| lifetime years | 100 |
Interfaces
Provides
- Navigation and positioning for repair robots
- Navigation for inspection route execution
- Route planning for logistics transport
Requires
- Lunar reference frame and terrain maps
- Computing resources for SLAM and path planning
Decomposes into
L3-ROB-NAV-SLAM
Robot SLAM Engine
Onboard SLAM engine running per-robot visual + LIDAR + IMU fusion for self-localization on lunar surface.
L3-ROB-NAV-PATH
Robot Path Planner
Per-robot path planner generating safe, energy-efficient traversal paths with real-time obstacle avoidance.
L3-ROB-NAV-COORD
Multi-Robot Coordinator
Multi-robot coordinator allocating tasks and synchronising movements across the robot fleet to avoid conflicts and maxim
L3-ROB-NAV-SENSE
Robot Sensor Suite
Standardised sensor suite per robot: stereo cameras, mini-LIDAR, IMU, sun sensor for autonomous navigation.
Cite this entry
Lunar Ark Codex. "Robot Navigation and Coordination" (L2-ROB-NAV). Retrieved 10 September 2026, from https://lunarark.com/entry/L2-ROB-NAV
Licensed CC-BY-SA 4.0. You may reuse and adapt this entry with attribution, under the same licence.