Space agency tries out gecko robot technology
A wall-crawling robot inspired by the gecko has taken a small but important step towards a future in space, scientists said yesterday.
It could be the forerunner of automatons which crawl along the hulls of spacecraft, maintaining them, the European Space Agency (ESA) said.
Its footpads are covered with dry microfibers modelled on the toe hair of the gecko, which is celebrated for its ability to scuttle up windows and along walls yet not leave a trace.
Researchers at Canada’s Simon Fraser University developed a six-legged climbing robot, nicknamed Abigaille.
The “dry adhesive” that helps Abigaille climb walls has now been put through its paces at ESA’s European Space and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in Noordwijk, the Netherlands.
“This is an example of biomimicry, taking engineering solutions from the natural world,” said team leader Mike Henrey.
Tests found that the adhesive worked like a charm, ESA said.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS
- |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 娌狪CP璇侊細娌狪CP澶05050403鍙-1
- |
- 浜掕仈缃戞柊闂讳俊鎭湇鍔¤鍙瘉锛31120180004
- |
- 缃戠粶瑙嗗惉璁稿彲璇侊細0909346
- |
- 骞挎挱鐢佃鑺傜洰鍒朵綔璁稿彲璇侊細娌瓧绗354鍙
- |
- 澧炲肩數淇′笟鍔$粡钀ヨ鍙瘉锛氭勃B2-20120012
Copyright 漏 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.