Meet Vandi Verma: Indian-origin NASA scientist behind the first-ever AI-planned rover drive on Mars

Indian-origin Vandi Verma is at the helm of a groundbreaking NASA achievement: Mars rover Perseverance's first AI-planned drives. These December 2025 maneuvers along Jezero Crater's rim showcase advanced AI analyzing terrain and identifying hazards, significantly reducing human planning time. This marks a pivotal shift, promising more efficient and responsive deep-space exploration as missions venture further from Earth.

Meet Vandi Verma: Indian-origin NASA scientist behind the first-ever AI-planned rover drive on Mars
Indian-origin Vandi Verma is at the helm of a groundbreaking NASA achievement: Mars rover Perseverance's first AI-planned drives. These December 2025 maneuvers along Jezero Crater's rim showcase advanced AI analyzing terrain and identifying hazards, significantly reducing human planning time. This marks a pivotal shift, promising more efficient and responsive deep-space exploration as missions venture further from Earth.