Tiny GeiwBot takes inspiration from geckos and inchworms

This is the claim of engineers at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, whose robot uses ultraviolet (UV) light and magnetic force to move on any surface, including walls and across ceilings.

According to the University, it is the first soft robot of its kind that does not require connection to an external power supply, enabling remote operation and versatility for potential applications such as assisting surgeons and searching inaccessible places.

“This work is the first time a holistic soft robot has climbed on inverted surfaces, advancing state-of-the-art soft robotics innovation,” said Dr Boxin Zhao, a professor of chemical engineering and the University of Waterloo Endowed Chair in Nanotechnology. “We are optimistic about its potential, with much more development, in several different fields.”

Constructed from a smart material, GeiwBot can be altered at the molecular level to mimic how geckos adhere to surfaces with their feet. 

That enables the robot, which is about 4cm long, 3mm wide and 1mm thick, to climb a vertical wall and across the ceiling without being tethered to a power source.