Scientists have developed wall-climbing robots that adhere to concrete, wood, steel, glass, drywall and brick. They conform to shapes such as bumps, corners or cracks, and can also clamp to dusty or damp surfaces.
They are using a new electrical adhesive technology, which involves inducing electrostatic charges on a wall surface using a power supply connected to pads placed on the moving robot. Unlike conventional or dry adhesives, the so-called “electro-adhesion” uses a small amount of power and has the ability to repeatedly clamp to wall surfaces covered in dust or debris, says its manufacturer SRI International of Menlo Park, Calif.
“Recent events such as natural disasters, military actions, and public safety threats have led to an increased need for robust robots — especially ones that can move in three dimensions,” says a company spokesman. “The ability to climb walls and other structures offers unique capabilities in military applications, such as urban reconnaissance, sensor deployment and installation of network nodes in an urban environment.”