--- title: "Why Does This New Moon Rover Look Vaguely Terrifying" description: "Space Centaur If you've ever eyed at a Moon rover and thought, \"that thing should look like a four-legged humanoid spider crab,\" you're in luck. A new lunar robot prototype, created by Japanese robotics maker GITAI in collaboration with JAXA, is all that and more. Called R1, the claw-handed Moon Centaur was revealed in an […]" date: "2022-06-10" modified: "2022-06-10" authors: - name: "Maggie Harrison Dupré" job_title: "Senior Staff Writer" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/mharrison" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/terrifying-new-moon-rover" categories: - "Astronomy" - "Moon" - "Space" tags: - "moon" - "Moon Rover" - "robots" - "the digest" --- # Why Does This New Moon Rover Look Vaguely Terrifying ![If you've ever eyed at a Moon rover and thought, "that thing should look like a four-legged humanoid spider crab," you're in luck.]() *\Image: GITAI\* ## Space Centaur If you've ever eyed a Moon rover and thought, "that thing should look more like a four-legged humanoid spider crab," you're in luck. A new lunar robot prototype, created by Japanese robotics maker GITAI in collaboration with the country's space agency JAXA, is just that type of nightmare creation. Called R1, the claw-handed Moon Centaur was revealed in an [equally endearing and bone-chilling video](). The droid is seen navigating a simulated lunar terrain with speed and ease, stopping intermittently to perform a variety of Moon chores — scooping up and packaging a sample of Moon dust, unboxing equipment, assembling a solar array — with surprising dexterity. It also does what can only be described as a very fun zig-zag maneuver, along with a few twirls. R1 is one of many space robots currently in development at GITAI, which [according to *CNN*]() was [contracted by JAXA]() as part of the organization's push to follow a similar [privatization model to that of NASA](). "Our goal is to achieve success in the commercialization of space robotics and thereby reduce the cost of space labor to a one-hundredth," GITAI CEO Sho Nakanose [said in a 2020 statement](), when the partnership was first announced. "We believe our success will contribute to true space commercialization." ## Robot City The international race [to get humans back to the Moon]() is no secret, and countries from around the world are gunning to create [outposts]() on Earth's only natural satellite. Controversial steps towards [Moon mining]() have also been in motion. While the 1967 Outer Space Treaty forbids any one country from reaping the rewards of any such efforts, it [doesn't expressly outlaw privatize companies from doing so]() — a loophole that provides serious incentive for government organizations like JAXA, [NASA](), and the [China National Space Administration]() to fuel competition in the [commercial space arena](). "The competition for lunar resource exploration and lunar base development is accelerating mainly in the US and China," the company [said in a statement]() accompanying R1's video demonstration, "and the demand for robotic labor, which is cheaper and safer than conventional human astronauts, is rapidly increasing." **READ MORE:** [*This lunar robot prototype looks like a centaur meant for the moon*]() \[CNN\] **More insane looking lunar tech:** [*New Moon Rover Looks Like A Giant Baby Stroller For Astronauts*]() ## Author At Futurism, I've reported extensively on the rise of AI as a cultural and business force shaping the media industry, and more broadly how those dynamics are changing how we all consume and share information and relate to one another. I'm also fascinated by public health policy and ethics, the role of emerging tech in politics and governance — and the powerful people and forces at those intersections — climate change, and the environment. My investigation on Sports Illustrated's use of AI-generated authors with fictional biographies won a 2024 Mirror Award for "Best Story on Media Coverage of Artificial Intelligence in Journalism and the Media" from Syracuse University's SI Newhouse School, I contributed to Niemen Lab's 2025 Predictions for Journalism series, and I've discussed my work for Futurism during appearances on NPR, CNN, the BBC, the CBC, and more. I grew up in rural Pennsylvania and attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where I played Division I field hockey for the Minutewomen as a midfielder. Since then, I've lived in New Orleans, Louisiana and Manhattan, New York. I spend my free time running, reading, perusing archival fashion, and searching for the world’s best negroni. I also have a debonair tuxedo cat, Westley, who's named after "The Princess Bride." ### Author social links [Bluesky]()