SCAMP Is a Robot That Can Fly...and Also Climb and Perch on Walls

While it looks nothing more than an unassuming quadcopter, Stanford's SCAMP (Stanford Climbing and Aerial Maneuvering Platform) has a lot more tricks up it sleeve--this drone can not only fly, it can also perch, and climb on walls. SCAMP basically takes everything the Biomimetics and Dexterous Manipulation Lab has learned from previous projects, such as the Stickybot (which mimics the gecko's wall climbing capability), to create this new drone. The team modified the climbing technology applied on the Stickybot so that SCAMP could climb faster. To achieve SCAMP's current maneuverability, they ensured it could take longer steps and added microspines to its feet--similar to what a praying mantis has. To achieve its ability to perch, the climbing mechanism for the machine was placed on top of the quadrotor, which allows it to press against surfaces for better stability.