A research team from Taiwan has developed a remarkable climbing robot named GLEWBOT, specifically designed for inspecting wall tiles. This robot moves smoothly in any direction using two separate bodies connected by a linear servo motor, with feet equipped with suction cups for secure tile gripping. The robot's control center is managed by an Arduino Nano for basic functions, while the Arduino Nano 33 BLE Sense serves as the brain of the system, responsible for acoustic recognition and inspection tasks.
GLEWBOT can identify weak or hollow areas in wall tiles using techniques inspired by creatures like geckos, leeches, and woodpeckers. Each feature of the robot draws inspiration from these animals to enhance its capabilities for tile inspection. For example, GLEWBOT climbs walls like a gecko, taps on tiles to find weak spots like a woodpecker, and grips surfaces with controlled suction like leeches.
The image above demonstrates GLEWBOT's on-field testing conducted by the research team. This breakthrough in robotics showcases not only technological advancement but also underscores the influence of nature on engineering solutions.
