No sliding: wall-climbing robots that really stick.

• Author: Williams, Robert H.
• Position: TECH TALK: A TIP-SHEET ON THE LATEST GADGETS

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* Scientists have developed wall-climbing robots that adhere to concrete, wood, steel, glass, drywall and brick. They conform to shapes such as bumps, corners or cracks, and can also clamp to dusty or damp surfaces.

They are using a new electrical adhesive technology, which involves inducing electrostatic charges on a wall surface using a power supply connected to pads placed on the moving robot. Unlike conventional or dry adhesives, the so-called "electro-adhesion" uses a small amount of power and has the ability to repeatedly clamp to wall surfaces covered in dust or debris, says its manufacturer SRI International of Menlo Park...