Robotics from the Korea Institute of Advanced Technologies (KAIST) worked on the design with colleagues from the University of Illinois (USA). Such a robot, of course, will not be used everywhere.

What is known about the new robot

Based on the already known design of a quadrupedal robot. Strong magnets are placed on their ends, so the walls and ceilings to which they will cling must be made of metal. It is easy to assume that For example, it would be possible to use such aids in oil tanks, bridges, water towers, ships and other large metal structures..

To interact with surfaces, Marvel (short for Magnetic Adhesive Robot for Versatile and Fast Movement) uses a combination of magnetic elastomers and electromagnets (for magnetization/demagnetization) and provides the necessary exchange of legs as one pair of surfaces sticks to the other and rises to the surface. one step forward. Before starting the climb, while still on the ground, Marvel performs a special action similar to a cat’s behavior before jumping – he tests his balance by placing his front paws on the surface.

The robot is already in the lab He learned to take ten-centimetre steps, dodge small obstacles, move slowly from wall to ceiling, and even carry a load. weighs about three kilograms.

The results of the field tests were even more impressive: Marvel skipped the oncoming obstacles, climbing the curved, rusty, dust-covered surface of the fuel tank at 0.35 meters per second.

Watch how the Marvel robot is tested: video