DeviceGuru

R&D think tank SRI International claims to have created the first robots to use electrically-controllable adhesion (”electroadhesion”) to reliably climb walls.

(Click for larger view of SRI’s wall-climbing robot)

The technology is expected to see action in military and security applications such as reconnaissance, sensor deployment, and installation of network nodes. Other applications might include inspection, window washing, painting, sensor deployment… even wall-walking by humans!

How electroadhesion works

SRI’s wall-climbing robots produce their electroadhesion forces by applying a small amount of power to pads that induce electrostatic charges onto the wall’s surface. In contrast to conventional dry or liquid adhesives, electroadhesion is able to repeatedly clamp onto damp, dusty, or dirty surfaces, according to SRI. Additionally, it can also be disabled for mobility or cleaning purposes.

(Source: SRI)

SRI says it has demonstrated the use of electroadhesion in a variety of wall-climbing robots, including tracked (”tank style”), legged, and “inchworm style” robots. These robots reportedly can climb on concrete, wood, steel, glass, drywall, and brick surfaces, and are undeterred by bumps, corners, cracks, and other surface variations.

A demonstration

To see one of SRI’s wall-climbing robots in action, check out the following YouTube video from PopularMechanics.com by clicking on the image below:

SRI presented an overview of its electroadhesion technology at the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA), May 23, 2008 at the Pasadena Conference Center in Pasadena, Calif. Further information on the technology can be found on SRI’s website, here.

Creepy!