Researchers from Tarim University in China have tested a tracked robot designed to extract iron-containing magnetic particles from desert sand. The device operates in the Taklamakan Desert and utilizes dry magnetic separation, which eliminates the need for water and supports autonomous operation.
The robot features a rotating mechanism with buckets that feed sand into a separator equipped with neodymium-iron-boron permanent magnets. Magnetic particles are captured by a central drum and collected, while non-magnetic sand is returned to the environment. This allows for on-the-go enrichment.
During testing, the prototype extracted an average of 0.46 percent magnetic material from the sand, with the iron content in the collected fraction averaging 28 percent. The enriched samples also contained titanium and manganese, though researchers note that industrial profitability remains unproven.
The 4.3 kg prototype is powered by a 20,000 mAh battery and a solar panel, allowing for up to 12.5 hours of continuous operation at a speed of 1.5 cm/s. During June 2025 trials, the robot maintained stability on slopes of up to 20 degrees and covered 18.2 meters using 3 percent of its battery capacity.
