Wall-Climbing Robots Use SRI International's Electroadhesion Technology

MENLO PARK, CA, May 20 (MARKET WIRE) --
SRI International, an independent nonprofit research and development
organization,
today announced that it has developed and demonstrated robust wall-climbing
robots using a new electrical adhesive technology called compliant
electroadhesion. SRI Senior Mechanical Engineer Harsha Prahlad, Ph.D. will
provide an overview of SRI's electroadhesion technology at the IEEE
International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA), May 23, 2008 at the
Pasadena Conference Center in Pasadena, Calif.

Electroadhesion is an electrically controllable adhesion technology that
isbeing applied to wall-climbing robots for the first time. It involves inducing
electrostatic charges on a wall surface using a power supply connected to
compliant pads placed on the moving robot. Unlike conventional or dry adhesives,
the
electroadhesion can be turned off for mobility or cleaning. This robotic
technology uses a small amount of power and has the ability to repeatedly
clamp to wall surfaces covered in dust or debris. Using this technology, SRI has
demonstrated a variety of wall-climbing robots, including robots with feet and
tracks.

"Recent events such as natural disasters, military actions, and public
safety
threats have led to an increased need for robust robots -- especially ones
that can move in three dimensions," said Dr. Prahlad. "The ability to climb
walls and other structures offers unique capabilities in military
applications, such as urban reconnaissance, sensor deployment, and
installation of network nodes in an urban environment. SRI is proud to
havedeveloped electroadhesive robots that can help with these situations."

Electroadhesive robots perform well on a wide variety of materials,
including
surfaces such as concrete, wood, steel, glass, drywall, and brick.
Electroadhesion, or electrically controlled electrostatic attraction, offers a
low
energy cost when in motion, quiet operation, and a simple, lightweight
structure. SRI's electroadhesive robots also have the ability to conform to
surface shapes such as bumps, corners, or cracks. These types of robots can also
clamp to dusty or damp surfaces.

Electroadhesion lends itself to a variety of wall-climbing robots, including
tracked "tank" style wall-climbing robots, as well as more
biomimetic-inspired, legged and inchworm-type robots, all of which have been
successfully demonstrated using this type of technology.

Go to http://www.sri.com/electroadhesion.html for more information about
SRI's
wall-climbing robots. For more information about the IEEE International
Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA) visit http://icra2008.usc.edu/

About SRI International

Silicon Valley-based SRI International (www.sri.com) is one of the world's
leading independent research and technology development organizations. Founded
as
Stanford Research Institute in 1946, SRI has been meeting the strategic needs
of clients for more than 60 years. The nonprofit research institute performs
client-sponsored research and development for government agencies, commercial
businesses, and private foundations. In addition to conducting contract R&D,
SRI licenses its technologies, forms strategic partnerships, and creates
spin-off
companies.

Media Contact:
Lindsay Sheppard
SRI International
(650) 859-2491
Email Contact

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