Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

New Robots Developed To Climb Walls

Posted by samzenpus on from the your-friendly-neighborhood-roomba dept.

An anonymous reader writes "SRI International, a nonprofit research and development organization, has developed a new technology that enables some robots to scale walls. The wall-climbing robots could be a boon for the US military, which could use them on reconnaissance or other missions in war zones, said Philip von Guggenberg, director of business development for SRI International, adding that the independent group has received some funding from DARPA, the technology research arm of the Pentagon. Von Guggenberg said that the new electrical adhesive technology called compliant electroadhesion, provides an electrically controllable way to stick machines to a wall. So what can they do? That adhesion lets the robots, using either feet or tracks, scale a vertical wall. They can even climb walls covered in dust and debris, or made out of concrete, wood, steel, glass, drywall, and brick. Good news is that regular robots, especially those with tracks, can be retrofitted with the technology and turned into wall climbers. Maybe if the kids are good, they'll get one for Christmas."

12 of 110 comments (clear)

  1. Electroadhesive robots by $RANDOMLUSER · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Never mind the military uses, how about using them for construction purposes?

    --
    No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism. - Winston Churchill
    1. Re:Electroadhesive robots by Frosty+Piss · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Never mind the military uses, how about using them for construction purposes?
      Indeed. It's pretty sad that most (or just a lot? It seems like most...) new technology comes about for "military needs". Imagen if all this effort was devoted to developing technology whose actual purpose was peaceful applications to benefit a peaceful society... The money we spend on war prevents a renaissance of humanity.
      --
      If you want news from today, you have to come back tomorrow.
    2. Re:Electroadhesive robots by TubeSteak · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Imagen if all this effort was devoted to developing technology whose actual purpose was peaceful applications to benefit a peaceful society... The money we spend on war prevents a renaissance of humanity. The money we spend on war brought us the Internet, which has arguably brought about a modern day renaissance.

      Not to mention that the military is responsible for the commercialization of a wide variety of technologies that go into making safer & cheaper products for everyone.

      As for why so much technology is developed for the military...
      It's because they are willing to go into a cost plus contract with companies.
      Nothing like having the military pay for all the cost overruns & extra R&D.
      --
      [Fuck Beta]
      o0t!
  2. Easier way! by www.sorehands.com · · Score: 5, Funny

    Why not have have the robots bitten by a genetically engineered spider?

    --
    Fight Spammers!
  3. Gecko feet by DigiShaman · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Cool, so they managed to synthesize how a gecko sticks to surfaces...

    Question: Can this technology be applied to tires? Having more grip with less surface area contact would be a major improvement.

    --
    Life is not for the lazy.
    1. Re:Gecko feet by Ksevio · · Score: 3, Informative

      They said it doesn't work very well on damp surfaces which is when you need the most grip with a car so it wouldn't be very useful for that application.

  4. what? no by westcoast+philly · · Score: 3, Funny

    I for one, Welcome out new electro-stick spybot war machine overlords. ...jokes yet? Pretty cool, but frightening.

  5. Easy defense against these robots by imrtt · · Score: 4, Interesting

    The article mentions that electroadhesion doesn't work well on damp surfaces. All you need to defend against these robots is a bucket of water.

  6. Great...Just effin' great by hyades1 · · Score: 5, Funny

    My job's already got me climbing the goddamn walls, and for a fraction of the cost of a goddamn robot.

    They might as well finish the job and make me totally redundant. Invent a robot that begs my girlfriend for sex and gets turned down

    --
    I've calculated my velocity with such exquisite precision that I have no idea where I am.
  7. Save some money... by arotenbe · · Score: 4, Funny

    I used to have a little toy that would do this. You turned it on and it stuck to the wall and climbed up very slowly. Its primary function was running out batteries.

    Tagged: suctioncup

    --
    Tomato wedge sperm darts that are Republican.
  8. Flaw in the Wall by camperdave · · Score: 4, Funny

    how about using them for construction purposes?

    Well, the wall climbing robot suffers from one debilitating flaw when it comes to construction. You see, in order to climb a wall, the wall needs to be there first.

    --
    When our name is on the back of your car, we're behind you all the way!
  9. More like civilian applications by Tyr_7BE · · Score: 3, Funny

    Screw military applications - this means my roomba might be able to handle the stairs soon!

    Exciting times :)