Element Robotics advances LunarSim platform for lunar & Earth missions

Element Robotics has been selected as a finalist in the Propel-AIR program, Australia's first AI and robotics sprint.

The Melbourne-based robotics company will compete alongside five other firms for the chance to visit MassRobotics in Boston. MassRobotics is widely recognised as a major international centre for robotics development. At the core of the company's offer is LunarSim, a digital twin simulation platform aimed at supporting lunar missions.

Simulating lunar missions

The company's LunarSim platform is designed to allow mission designers to test and validate robotic systems destined for the Moon, all in a digital environment. The approach eliminates the need for costly and slow physical testing by enabling system and operator training in realistic simulated lunar conditions before hardware is even built.

Describing the platform, Tenzin Crouch, Co-founder and former Royal Australian Air Force Engineering Officer, said, "Think of it as a digital twin of the Moon and the robot you'll send. Put them together and you can verify your system, train your team, and build mission confidence before launch."

Crouch went on to highlight the advantage LunarSim provides over more limited, single-mission solutions. "Mission assurance requires thousands of hours of testing. Without simulation, you're stuck with costly and slow physical testing. LunarSim changes that," he said.

The platform's design addresses common challenges in space robotics, where simulation tools are often custom built for specific projects with limited re-use. By contrast, LunarSim offers a more flexible approach with the aim of increasing mission assurance and reducing development costs.

Broader application

Element Robotics has positioned LunarSim not only as a tool for space robotics but also as a platform with potential uses in other industries. The technology is being explored for applications in high-risk, remote, and complex environments such as underground mining, offshore sites, and other remote operations. These terrestrial sectors face some challenges similar to those encountered in space missions, such as distance, danger and the need for reliable automated systems.

The company is already seeing commercial interest in simulation-as-a-service models for software validation and operator training, as well as the generation of synthetic datasets for artificial intelligence perception testing. Looking ahead, Element Robotics suggests further use cases in exploration, mining, construction, and maintenance operations - both on Earth and beyond.

Support and development

Element Robotics has secured government funding through the Moon to Mars Supply Chain Capability Improvement Grant. The minimum viable product (MVP) of LunarSim is under development, with delivery planned by March 2026. Through participation in Propel-AIR, the company is continuing to refine its business model and exploring investment opportunities, as well as further commercialisation both on Earth and for space applications.

Crouch underscored the company's ambition for the platform: "We're building the infrastructure to support fleets of lunar robots. Propel-AIR is helping us prepare LunarSim for commercialisation here on Earth and in space."

Next steps in Propel-AIR

The Propel-AIR program offers the eventual winner a one-month residency at MassRobotics in Boston. This would give the successful company access to robotics organisations including Boston Dynamics and iRobot, as well as to prominent institutions such as MIT and Harvard. For Element Robotics, selection as a Propel-AIR finalist brings international attention to their digital twin technology for both lunar and terrestrial settings.

"Think of it as a digital twin of the Moon and the robot you'll send. Put them together and you can verify your system, train your team, and build mission confidence before launch."

The LunarSim simulation tool has been developed for lunar mission teams to test and train robots virtually before deployment. By extending the potential of simulated testing, Element Robotics aims to reduce the costs and risks associated with space and remote terrestrial operations, while opening up new commercial avenues for advanced simulation technologies.