"NASA's Curiosity Rover Receives Significant Software Upgrade for Improved Performance on Mars"

NASA's Curiosity Mars rover has received a major software update that includes about 180 changes, with the most significant being new driving capabilities. The update will enable the rover to drive faster and reduce wear and tear on its wheels. The new software will also streamline the task of Curiosity's human drivers, who have to write complex plans containing hundreds of commands. The update will help engineers plan the motions of Curiosity's robotic arm more efficiently and point its "head" atop the mast more accurately.