Waalbot, the wall-climbing, gecko-footed robot

Robots do all sorts of things, but climbing walls seems to be a goal engineers can't live without. Meet the Waalbot which is fitted with gecko-like micro fiber feet that can stick to vertical and ceiling surfaces. In addition, the legs are wheeled with three feet that can rotate and cruise over surface curvature and even grab onto other walls at right angles. Unlike other wall-climbing robots, this one is small and light, and given its diminutive size, capacity varies depending on the surface type and size of feet. Using a PIC microcontroller and wireless controls along with batteries, Waalbot is designed to be completely autonomous and untethered.

[Via Engineering TV]

[Niki @ Jun 12th 2008 3:24PM]

it's so cute =]

[Shoumik @ Jun 12th 2008 3:25PM]

thats what she said.

[Shoumik @ Jun 12th 2008 3:25PM]

thats what she said

[Steffen Jobbs @ Jun 12th 2008 4:25PM]

Easily replaces that arrogant grotty-accented GEICO gecko that needs to be stepped on.

[natels @ Jun 12th 2008 3:25PM]

Now we just need Tyco to endorse it and put spy cameras on its back.

(stick*)

[deyanimay @ Jun 12th 2008 3:36PM]

and attach a nurf gun for sniping.

[Matt Smith @ Jun 12th 2008 4:56PM]

sick = stick

[Shoumik @ Jun 12th 2008 3:27PM]

Engadget, this is an epic failure because the 3g iphone was not mentioned in this article at all!

[Tom @ Jun 12th 2008 3:34PM]

No.

[deyanimay @ Jun 12th 2008 3:37PM]

your an epic failure because you brought that up.

[IT-Accountant @ Jun 12th 2008 3:47PM]

Do you guys not understand sarcasm?

[Ian @ Jun 12th 2008 4:09PM]

actually i understand sarcasm quite well its the fact that just because there is a LOT of iphone coverage everyone has to bring it up ALL the time even if its negative, i wish we could just not bring it up unless there is a damn good reason too. (like a posting about it)

[rock99rock @ Jun 12th 2008 4:11PM]

@IT

You fail, because you think that the sarcasm meant it to be ok to post what he did. The other 2 noted the sarcasm, and immediately failed the mere mention of the other device.

I dare engadget (and other fanboys (clak)) to go one day without mentioning it. READY SET GO.

BTW. I will probably get it anyway :)

OK NOW GO.

[phanbouy @ Jun 12th 2008 4:50PM]

@IT

Hey, that's a great comment!

The above statement was sarcastic.

[Chris Macdonald @ Jun 12th 2008 9:30PM]

Well there's always that little 3g iphone banner on top of every article if you ever miss it

[Ian @ Jun 12th 2008 3:28PM]

really? you post not one but TWO comments to the first post then u say first. That is a fail

[Technex @ Jun 12th 2008 3:53PM]

I've heard them Gecko hairs are damn strong, some crazy weight lifting ability which I now can't remember...

Shoumik = troll? Lol...

[matt @ Jun 12th 2008 3:54PM]

seems kinda... useless... without attachments or anything.
OOOH license the tech to the guys that make the Roomba so I can have a robot that paints walls for me (or even just cleans them)

[Mile @ Jun 12th 2008 4:00PM]

My thoughts exactly - spider webs in the corners begone!

[Victor @ Jun 12th 2008 3:55PM]

Robot brought to you by Carnegie Mellon University's Nano Robotics Lab

[naz @ Jun 12th 2008 4:06PM]

will Asda sell'em?

[naz @ Jun 12th 2008 4:07PM]

@Shoumik

well done your first, do u want a medal?

[Lorre @ Jun 12th 2008 4:07PM]

FWIW: Waalbot comes from Van der Waals forces, which is what causes a gecko to stay stuck to the ceiling.

[rock99rock @ Jun 12th 2008 4:13PM]

Looks like a SuperSoaker

[Word @ Jun 12th 2008 4:16PM]

Waal*e?

[Niki @ Jun 12th 2008 4:31PM]

an epic fail. =]

[Danakin @ Jun 12th 2008 4:38PM]

There is a typo and are numerous gramatical errors...fun to read :)

[Jack @ Jun 12th 2008 9:45PM]

"that can sick to vertical"

really? the robot can "sick" to vertical surfaces?

[gt2378b @ Jun 12th 2008 11:35PM]

Useless!

. . . I really want one