Our mission
We develop advanced solutions for research and exploration, with a dedicated focus on Lunar and Martian Rovers.
DIANA, since 2008, has aimed to bring space robotics applications to Politecnico di Torino by developing and prototyping technology demonstrators of space rovers for astronaut support in future manned missions on other planets. The Team is a talent incubator: the students build advanced knowledge of robotics. They are put to the test in managing a complex and challenging project, gaining highly professionalized skills. DIANA is active in numerous research fields and counts many publications gained during the years.
FORTUNA is the flagship planetary rover developed by Team DIANA. It is designed to operate in Mars-like environments, combining a highly maneuverable double-bogie mobility system with a compact, modular avionics architecture that maximizes reliability and redundancy.
At its core, FORTUNA integrates advanced autonomous navigation, AI-based perception, and a robust onboard software stack, enabling the rover to navigate complex terrain, avoid obstacles, and execute missions with limited human input. Its six-degrees-of-freedom robotic arm allows precise maintenance operations, sample collection, and tool manipulation, supported by interchangeable end effectors and dedicated scientific payloads.
With a strong focus on system engineering, fault tolerance, and mission realism, FORTUNA embodies Team DIANA’s approach to building competition-ready space robotics systems that push autonomy, integration, and operational performance forward.
ARDITO is a modular platform designed for supporting astronauts on planetary missions. The locomotion system, based on NASA’s patented rocker-bogie suspension mechanism, is composed of six driving wheels, four of which are capable of steering. Besides the possibility of mounting scientific payloads, it has manipulation abilities thanks to the six degrees-of-freedom arm, equipped with a sensorized claw. The system aims at autonomy by means of front mounted stereocameras and proprietary navigation algorithms.
ARDITO can move at a maximum speed of 36 km/h and overcome obstacles up to 50 cm in height through its powerful wheels, which are also able to absorb and dampen shocks. Thanks to its six-wheel drive system and autonomous navigation technology, the rover can also operate in rough and sloped terrain.
With its powerful end effector, ARDITO is able to handle objects up to 10 kg and operate on complex panels. A camera positioned close to the fingers helps the operator during the execution of the most difficult tasks while pressure sensors positioned on the fingers allow to adjust the force the rover applies to manipulated objects, ensuring precision and delicacy during operations.
TRINITY is the product of the heritage and expertise of ten
years of hard work and keen research, carried out with a clear
vision and a specific approach. TRINITY is based on a strongly modular design. From previous experiences the Team learnt that a modular design dramatically reduces development and production times and allows to easily perform modifications on the existing platform for upgrades and fixes.
TRINITY represented DIANA at the 2019 European Rover Challenge (ERC), the team’s second international competition. From this platform, the next rover — ARDITO — would later take shape.
In 2015, Team DIANA introduced the T0-R0 project, their first rover developed with the goal of participating in the Rover Challenge Series competitions. T0-R0 was designed and built keeping a low budget profile.
T0-R0 was equipped with:
DIANA is the first italian team to participate at European Rover Challenge
DIANA was born by initiative of Professor Emeritus Giancarlo Genta, with the ambitious goal to compete for the Google Lunar X-Prize together with Team Italia. AMALIA is an advanced lunar exploration vehicle. AMALIA represents a significant achievement in space robotics, featuring cutting-edge technology and robust design to withstand the challenging lunar environment. Equipped with various instruments and mobility systems, AMALIA can traverse the lunar surface, collect data, and perform experiments, surviving on the harsh moon surface for two weeks.
AMALIA II represents an evolution in their pursuit of lunar exploration excellence. This iteration of the rover builds upon the experience and lessons learned from the first AMALIA prototype. It incorporates enhanced technology, improved mobility systems, and more advanced instruments for data collection and experimentation on the lunar surface.
The development of successive AMALIA versions allows DIANA to refine their design and performance, making each iteration more capable and resilient in the challenging lunar environment. These continuous improvements reflect the team’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of space robotics and their dedication to contributing to our understanding of the Moon.
A competition organized by the X-Prize foundation and sponsored by Google that aimed to open the doors of space exploration to entrepreneurs and Teams, giving them the opportunity to showcase their work and business models by completing a full Lunar mission, from the launch and landing, to lunar walk and data transmission.
