VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - A new kind of robot that could potentially be used inside nuclear power plants has been developed by researchers at SFU. Its special moves are based on the sticky pads of geckos.
The TBCP-11 robot, or Tailless Timing Belt Climbing Platform, doesn't use magnets, suction cups or claws.
Jeff Krahn helped developed it and says it moves like a tank and uses less battery power than other robots that try to climb walls.
"The obvious use could be for climbing windows on sky-scrapers and in the case of nuclear power plants, the adhesives don't leave any residue. Some of the other applications could be for surveillance or security."
The adhesive is designed in the shape of tiny mushroom caps. Sensors allow it to change direction.
Krahn says he still needs to tweak certain aspects of the robot before it'll be ready for commercial production.