A Robot that Climbs Walls using Micro-structured Polymer Feet

Insect-inspired foot materials can enable robots to walk on surfaces reg less of the direction of gravity, which significantly increases the functi workspace of a compact robot. Previously, Mini-WhegsTM, a small ro that uses four wheel-legs for locomotion, was converted to a wall-wal robot with compliant, conventional-adhesive feet. In this work, the were replaced with a novel, reusable insect-inspired adhesive. The reus structured polymer adhesive has less tenacity than the previous adhes resulting in less climbing capability. However, af ascending vertical surfaces using the novel adhesive.