Vivake M. Asnani

Glenn Research Center, Ames Research Center

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Vivake M. Asnani is a leading researcher in terramechanics and planetary rover mobility, specializing in the complex interactions between robotic systems and extraterrestrial soils. His most impactful contribution is the development of the soil optical flow technique (SOFT), a novel computer vision method that visualizes and analyzes machine-soil interactions in real time. This work, which has garnered 40 citations, enables researchers to track soil deformation patterns during wheel or tool engagement, providing critical insights for designing more efficient planetary rovers and excavation tools. Asnani also pioneered the Robotic Lunar Geotechnical Tool (21 citations), a rover-mounted system essential for assessing lunar trafficability, construction, and in-situ resource utilization—key to establishing permanent human presence on the Moon. His research on "push-pull" locomotion (14 citations) demonstrated how coordinated wheel-arm movements can dramatically improve rover mobility on steep, treacherous slopes, reducing the risk of entrapment. With a career focused on solving the challenges of extreme terrain traversal, Asnani’s work directly supports NASA’s ambitious exploration goals, offering practical solutions for navigating the unknown surfaces of the Moon, Mars, and beyond.