Robin Nelen

Papers

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About

Robin Nelen is a robotics engineer whose work centers on planetary rover technologies and autonomous space exploration systems. His major contribution lies in the design and development of the Heavy Duty Planetary Rover (HDPR), a mobile testbed built at the European Space Agency’s Automation and Robotics Laboratories. This platform was created to address critical needs in long-range rover exploration, enabling rigorous testing of navigation, mobility, and autonomy algorithms under realistic conditions. His 2016 paper detailing the HDPR has garnered 4 citations, serving as a foundational reference for researchers advancing rover technologies for future lunar and Martian missions. Nelen’s work bridges the gap between laboratory simulations and field-ready systems, directly supporting ESA’s goals for sustainable exploration. By providing an open, adaptable testbed, he has empowered teams to validate innovations in terrain perception, path planning, and robotic endurance. His contributions are particularly notable for their practical impact, helping to shape the next generation of autonomous rovers capable of traversing challenging extraterrestrial landscapes.