A tiny robot that could one day help doctors perform surgery was inspired by the incredible grasping ability of lizards and the efficient movements of inchworms. A new robot developed by engineers at the University of Waterloo moves over any surface, including walls and ceilings, using ultraviolet (UV) light and magnetic force. An article about the work was published in a journal. Cell Reports Physical Science.

It is the first soft robot of its kind that does not need to be connected to an external power source, providing remote control and versatility for potential applications such as assisting surgeons and searching hard-to-reach places.

Chemical engineering professor Dr. “This study is the first time that a one-piece soft robot has climbed upside down surfaces and advanced the latest innovation in soft robotics,” said Boxing Zhao. “We are optimistic about its potential with much further development in several different areas.”

Made from a clever material that researchers call GeiwBot after the creatures that inspired it, the robot can be modified at the molecular level to mimic the way lizards grab and peel powerful claws on their legs.

This allows work that is approximately four centimeters long, three millimeters wide and one millimeter thick to climb vertical walls and ceilings without being connected to a power source. Zhao and his research team built the robot using liquid crystal elastomers and synthetic adhesive pads. A light-responsive polymer strip mimics the bending and stretching of a worm, while gecko-style magnetic pads on either end provide grip.

“While there are still limitations to be overcome, this development is an important milestone for the use of biomimicry and smart materials for soft robots,” said Zhao, from the Department of Nanotechnology at the University of Waterloo. “Nature is a great source of inspiration and nanotechnology is an exciting way to apply its lessons.”

The untethered soft robot paves the way for potential surgical applications via remote control inside the human body, and the identification or search of dangerous or hard-to-reach areas during rescue operations. The next step for the researchers is to develop a light-only soft-climbing robot that does not require a magnetic field and uses near-infrared radiation instead of UV light to improve biocompatibility.