Climbing robot throws its weight around

March 20, 2008 | Source: NewScientist.com news service

Stanford University researchers have built a four-limbed robot, designed for exploring Martian geology, that climbs vertical walls using foot- and hand-holds like a human climber.

The robot can complete four moves of its arms and legs in 30 seconds.

Cameras on its limbs will allow it to climb without knowing the location of foot- and hand-holds in advance.

A similar robot being developed at Virginia Tech University, which also uses a winch to help pull itself up near-vertical inclines, will have a laser rangefinder installed so it can map out the climbing surface.