Tiny robot pulls 2,000 times its own weight
By Natalie Crofts
April 27th, 2015 @ 11:45am



PALO ALTO, Calif. — Two of the world’s newest robots are a lot stronger than they appear.

Researchers at Stanford University created tiny robots that can carry or pull objects hundreds and thousands of times their own weight. Called “MicroTugs,” the robots use controllable adhesive technology developed in the Biomimetrics and Dexterous Manipulation Laboratory.

“A 12-gram micro robot uses controllable adhesive (like ants use) to pull 2,000 times its weight,” a description on the MicroTugs webpage reads. “This is the equivalent of a human adult dragging a blue whale around on land.”

Another bot, which weighs nine grams, is capable of carrying more than a kilogram while climbing vertically on glass. Researchers said “this is equivalent to a human climbing up a skyscraper while carrying an elephant.”

he climbing robot’s design was inspired by geckos, according to New Scientist. It reported that the tiny robots cling to walls using adhesives covered with minute rubber spikes, which are found on the robot’s feet.

Eventually, the adhesive technology could be used for robots designed to haul heavy equipment and assist in emergency situations. One example provided to New Scientist is of a robot carrying a ladder to a person trapped in a burning building.

"We are looking to bring the adhesive to market first, but then applications like these will be certainly of interest along with a ton of other things,” engineer David Christensen told CNET. “It's pretty magical stuff to play with.”

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