Overview
- NASA confirmed Perseverance executed AI-planned drives on Dec. 8 and Dec. 10, 2025 at Jezero Crater, covering 689 feet (210 meters) and 807 feet (246 meters).
- JPL collaborated with Anthropic, using Claude-based vision-language models to analyze HiRISE orbital imagery and digital elevation data to generate continuous paths and waypoints.
- Engineers validated the AI-produced commands in a virtual replica of the rover, checking more than 500,000 telemetry variables to ensure compatibility with flight software.
- Operations remained bounded by human oversight and “keep-in zones,” with an annotated image showing the AI route in magenta and the actual rover track in orange.
- Officials say the approach could streamline perception, localization, and planning for longer, kilometer-scale drives and reduce operator workload on future missions.