Vandi Verma: Indian-origin Roboticist Behind NASA's First AI-Planned Mars Rover Drive

• Indian-origin roboticist Vandi Verma led NASA's groundbreaking test of AI-planned drives on Mars with the Perseverance rover in December 2025.
• This marks the first time a Mars rover autonomously followed routes planned by artificial intelligence, moving away from human-planned, step-by-step commands.
• Verma, Chief Engineer for Robotic Operations at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, has worked on Spirit, Opportunity, Curiosity, and Perseverance missions.
• The AI system analyzed terrain, identified obstacles, and generated complete driving routes, which were validated through simulations before transmission to Mars.
• This advancement promises faster exploration, reduced human workload, and is critical for future missions farther from Earth, including Artemis Moon missions and human missions to Mars.

Why It Matters: Vandi Verma spearheaded NASA's first AI-driven Mars rover navigation, revolutionizing autonomous space exploration for future missions.