Full Breakdown
Airbus Engineers Use Valve’s Steam Deck to Test an ExoMars Rover Prototype
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Demonstration
In a recent video tour of Airbus facilities in the United Kingdom, YouTuber Tom Scott observed engineers operating a prototype of the ExoMars rover with Valve’s handheld gaming device, the Steam Deck. The senior Airbus engineer first commanded a rover to move forward using a laptop, then handed the Steam Deck—running custom software—to Scott, who steered a second prototype in real time via the device’s sticks, buttons and triggers. The handheld serves only as a portable controller during Earth-based testing; the rover’s final autonomous navigation will rely on onboard 3D cameras and software once deployed on Mars.
Why the Steam Deck Works for Robotics
The Steam Deck is essentially a compact Linux PC with an integrated display and full physical controls, making it more adaptable than a conventional game console and more portable than a laptop-and-controller setup. Its open hardware architecture allows users to install alternative operating systems and custom programs, enabling engineers to repurpose the device for non-gaming tasks such as robotics control.
Valve’s Perspective on Open Hardware
Valve engineer Yazan Aldehayyat explained that the overlap between a “good PC” and a “good gaming device” is intentional, emphasizing that quality hardware can serve multiple purposes.
Broader Implications for Engineering Workflows
Airbus views the Steam Deck as a convenient tool for rapid prototyping and testing, where a physical controller can be quicker and easier to operate than a keyboard-based interface. The experiment illustrates how consumer-grade, open-platform devices can supplement specialized engineering equipment, potentially reducing costs and streamlining development cycles for complex systems like planetary rovers.
Future Outlook
While the handheld will not replace the rover’s autonomous navigation system, its successful use in the laboratory suggests that other scientific teams may adopt similar consumer devices for robotics testing. Valve’s continued openness to alternative software environments could further expand the range of applications for the Steam Deck, the Steam Machine and the upcoming Steam Frame.