# Mini Moon Rovers Sora-Q is a Tiny Robot for Exploring the Lunar Surface By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2023-01-09 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sora-q References: [techeblog](https://www.techeblog.com/tomy-sora-q-moon-exploration-robot/)  Sora-Q by Japan-based toy company TOMY is a mini moon exploration robot that comes in at just eight centimeters in diameter and just 250 grams. The handheld robot gets its name from the words for "sky" and "sphere" and the tiny moon rover is the newest creation from the company that created Transformers, and TOMY designed this toy for the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency, or [JAXA](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/toyota-baby-lunar-cruiser). The rolling lunar robot caught a ride on the [SpaceX](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starship-v3) [Falcon 9](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/advanced-telescope-design) rocket that catapulted the world’s first commercial lunar lander, ispace’s Hakuto-R M1, toward the moon. Another SORA-Q will be carried aboard slim, a JAXA lander set to touch down in 2023. Split in half, the Sora-Q will unfold to expose a pair of cameras and divide its hemispheres into wheels. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.8/10 - Popularity: 69% | Activity: 92% | Freshness: 14% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/gadgets) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Miniature Robotics:** Developing compact, lightweight robots for exploration purposes. - **Space Exploration Technology:** Innovating technology for space exploration missions and lunar exploration. - **Remote Sensing and Imaging:** Developing enhanced imaging and data analysis to improve understanding of extraterrestrial environments. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Toy Manufacturing:** Creating innovative and resourceful toys that educate and inspire children to learn more about science and technology. - **Aerospace and Defense:** Developing advanced robotics and space exploration technology for scientific research and discovery. - **Photography and Imaging:** Developing high-quality imaging products for remote sensing and data analysis for scientific purposes. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Private Space Exploration Rovers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/private-space-exploration.md) - [Vehicle-Inspired Lunar Rovers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/electric-lunar-rover.md) - [Interplanetary Exploration Vehicle Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/toyota-baby-lunar-cruiser.md) - [Regenerative Fuel Spatial Rovers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lunar-cruiser.md) - [Diminutive Quadruped Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/quadruped-robot.md) - [Experimental Moon Landing Missions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ispace.md) - [Futuristic Lunar Terrain Vehicles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lunar-terrain-vehicle.md) - [Programmable Robot Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mini-robots.md) - [Mars Rover Toy Models](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lego-technic-nasa-mars-rover-perseverance.md)