Sharp talons and a strong torso let this robot climb trees, even while carrying a heavy payload. It uses a simple principle, two gripping units allow it to grab onto the tree. These modules alternate, one grips while the torso moves the other up the tree.
You can make out the trio of rods which connect the front and back half of the robot in the image above. Watch the video after the break to see how the motors move these rods with the dexterity of an inchworm, allowing it not only to climb upwards, but to bend and flex to match the contours encountered in the wild.
This was presented at International Conference on Robotics and Automation a few weeks ago. Unfortunately we can only find an abstract for the paper so please leave a link in the comments if you know where to find the full monty.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmqDePXM89Y&w=470]
[via Adafruit]
Very ingenious! I’ve been thinking about wall climbing robots lately… this is inspiring.
Attach Camera, paint camo.
Mobile surveillance anyone?
inspiring :)
cool. Now give it a third arm and and basket then voila robotic fruit picker.
For a more scientific purpose add a controllable camera and use it for mobile observation in forest canopies.
I wonder what kind of propulsion system is used between the head and tail part, as it is so smooth. Just regular motors and screw-thread?
Chinese eh? Wonder who they stole the technology from?
@vonskippy: Nature, perhaps?
It use just three endless screws and stepper mottor. The same sistem is at industrial robot for pipes surveillance