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electroadhesion

Robots get sticky fingers (video)

Grabit, a spinoff from research institute SRI International, has developed a way for robots to pick up objects by using electroadhesion technology. It works by charging a flexible plastic film embedded with electrodes.

At the Future of Robotics in Silicon Valley and Beyond forum, SmartPlanet's Sumi Das recently got a look at how the technology works and learned what benefits it has over other methods.

This video originally appeared on SmartPlanet with the headline "Sticky fingers for robots."

Sticky robot scales walls

SRI International has announced the development of a wall-climbing robot that uses a new electrical adhesive technology called "compliant electroadhesion" that can stick to anything from brick to glass--even damp, dirty glass.

Electroadhesion, or electrically controlled electrostatic attraction, is an electrically controlled adhesion technology that induces an electrostatic charge using a power supply connected to pads placed on the robot allowing it to scale walls, even those covered with dust or moisture, SRI says.

"Recent events such as natural disasters, military actions, and public safety threats have led to an increased need for robust robots--especially ones that … Read more