Gecko-footed Robot Walks Up Glass

Engineers at Stanford University have copied the action of Gecko feet to make a robot that can walk up smooth surfaces - even glass.
The robot, StickyBot, uses anisotropic compliant adhesion to attach itself to surfaces.
Just like the toes of a Gecko, there are very fine hairs that stick to the surface from van der Waals force at the molecular-sized tip of the hairs.
In this design they stick in one direction then easily peel away in the opposite direction.
The StickyBoty has wide flat feet to allow for large surface to spread the load.

Movie of StickyBot in action
New Scientist Tech - Technology - Gecko-like robot scampers up the wall