So the basic idea is Japan hopes to have large humanoid robots on the moon by 2015, 660 pound behemoth bots with tracks instead of legs, But humanoid none the less. These bots will be equipped with seismographs and humanoid arms for gathering and collecting sample that will be returned to Earth via rocket. The robots will be controlled from Earth, but they'll also be imbued with their own kind of machine intelligence, making decisions on their own and operating with a high degree of autonomy. These will be surveyor bots designed to pave the way for base construction. They hope to finish construction by 2020.
above: Artists conception of partial base.
below: Official concept design for initial robots
"Those initial surveyor bots will pave the way for the construction of the unmanned moon base near the lunar south pole, which the robots will construct for themselves. That base will be solar powered and provide a working/living space future robot colonizers, as well as -- presumably -- a jumping off point for future human moon dwellers." - popsci.com
above: Officially released concept
Any thoughts or opinions on this subject? Discussion is highly encouraged :)