Question: what did u test on mars? have u created a rocket? how long did it take u to make your first robotic thing?

Elie Allouis answered on 16 Mar 2016:

I have never tested anything on Mars yet – not many people did 🙂
We test things in a whole range of places on Earth that look like Mars, like in deserts or in our “Mars Yard” that simulate terrain, rocks and light intensity.

I have never created a rocket, beyond small rockets that you can build as a hobby. During my studies, you get to learn how to build one, but real rockets are big and massively complex, and it requires a team of expert to do that well.

How long did it take to make my first robotic thing? – Good question. I have been interested in robotics for quite a long time, probably since I was at school like you. I was always keen to build “robots” at home, but they were not always real robots :-). Now I build real ones, and the time it takes depends on the complexity. We have been recently building a 2.5m long robotic arm, and it took us 2 years to do it as there was a lot of new technologies in it..so you don’t want to rush things.

…having said that, on the opposite side, I am starting at home the design of a robotic lawn-mower…and I really want to do it before the summer is out to cut my grass! 🙂