dig in a different trench phoenix ' s robotic arm connecting with a solid surfaces that has scientists excited about the prospect of it uncovering an icy pile . " we have dug a trench and discover a hard material at the same degree as the ice layers in our other trench , " added washington university robotic arm commander for arizona , ray arvidson . the arm went at least one instances to penetrate the crust , but was unsuccessful . as a result the arm came into a waiting pattern , awaiting its second commands .
A robotic arm has been used for scientific discoveries.