The unique and amazing climbing prowess of the gecko is the inspiration behind a new robotic creation conceived by mechanical engineers at Stanford University.
The minute robots can haul more than 100 times their weight and present a new innovation in the world of robotics—thanks to the impressive climbing ability that geckos possess.
Down the road, the innovation could lead to amazing new robots and machines able to carry exceptional loads and provide new alternatives to today's mechanical forklifts used in industrial and construction settings. There may also be application in other industries, such as emergency response in terms of rescuing subjects in burning buildings or dangerously high settings.
It's apparently all due to solid footing, which can go a long way when it comes to carrying a huge load. The robots boast a special adhesive on their feet, which are then layered with rubber-based spikes that provide a tremendously strong grip on whatever the robot is climbing, according to a report on the invention.
When the robotic gecko is loaded up with a heavy weight, the pressure bends the spikes on the bottom of the robot's feet and actually boosts their stickiness. When the robot lifts its foot to move, the spikes unfold and straighten out again. The key factor is that when one foot moves, the others remain firmly in place, supporting the load without a problem.
According to the report, a bot weighing about 9 grams can carry more than a kilogram as it climbs.
In another experiment, the researchers found that another petite bot, weighing in at just 20 milligrams (0.0007 ounce), is able to carry 500 milligrams (0.0176 ounce).
Stanford engineer Elliot Hawkes built the bot using tweezers and a microscope.
It is, however, another bot in the lab, which goes by the name of μTug, which can beat all his colleagues when it comes to climbing with a heavy load. Weighing in at just 12 grams (0.42 ounces), μTug can drag an item that is 2,000 times heavier than its own weight. Researcher David Christensen described the feat as akin to a human pulling around a blue whale.
"If you leave yourself a little more room, you can do some pretty amazing things," said Christensen.
