The nice thing about Mars is that the only things that move are things we're commanding. Snow White's prototype computer workstation includes a comprehensive graphical user interface that enables command and control of each dwarf, and displays their telemetry and status as well as an overview of the work site. The final lander system will also include a data storage repository for the information the rovers collect. Although the dwarves are actually blind and have no cameras on board, they are equipped with an electromagnetic sensor system that warns of impending contact. The sensor can detect oncoming traffic or obstacles, as well as when the wheels are losing contact with the terrain.
Functionality is broken down into several components.
A command handler parses and dispatches lander commands, a motion control component enables basic mobility and local navigation, and a behaviors component provides the rover with intelligence for executing motion control sequences or maneuvers for task-specific functionality such as collision avoidance, excavation, and cooperative spacing and traffic control. Conceptually, the dwarf nanorovers command and control basics are similar to Sojourner. Sojourner shared a link only with the Pathfinder lander and the behavior components. Each nanorover's behavior set must take the motions and activities of other nanorovers into account. In addition to these differences, the software components deviate from Sojourner's for perhaps the most fundamental reason a marked difference in computing resources.