Simply put, this should make excavation on alien planets easier because the device can work without needing high amounts of traction to stay in place while performing its task. It looks like flipping over and becoming inoperable shouldn't be an issue either, based on the proven design. Popular Mechanics suggests that a whole slew of these will be sent ahead of any Martian colonists as a way of prepping the landing pad, so to speak.

And, hopefully it'll keep Curiosity company. Based on the rover's formerly funny Twitter feed, isolation is getting the best of the trigger-happy spacecraft's sanity.