If successful, and the research appears to be heading in that direction, a few added spices and whatnots could potentially arm vegetarians with a technology edge over their meat-eating colleagues, while vastly lowering the amount of needed energy, land, and fresh water.

FORBES: The Murky Future of Conservation

By extending the arm outwards and tuning Mahli back to look in the direction of the rover, a sequence of images can be acquired that anyone can then assemble into a large mosaic using the appropriate software.

BBC: Curiosity Mars rover spins its rock drill

"It's a real business, a growing business, and it's only going in one direction, " said Dede Nickerson, head of production and strategic development for the China arm of Sony Corp.

WSJ: Streaming Video Fills Hole Left by TV in China