In the field of microrobotics, the Micro Tug is considered to be a leap forward: The only other miniature climbing robot, defined as less than 40 mm (1.6 in.) per side, could only carry three times its body weight.
Researchers envisage the Micro Tug as a prototype for future miniature robots that could have applications in “search and rescue, surveillance, and environmental monitoring,” such as carrying equipment to a person in a burning building or fixing damage in dams and bridges.
“Future models of the smallest robots would like to have more capabilities for traversal on different terrains, and better actuators and legs,” said David Christensen, one of the researchers on the team.
