CHETRY: Welcome back to the Most News in the Morning. Robots that can scale walls like super heroes. Researchers at Stanford University inspired by the gecko's quick feet say these robots can actually be the first ones to explore unstable, dangerous places and can potentially save lives. Here's Gary Tuchman with this morning's "Edge of Discovery."</s>GARY TUCHMAN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): These little lizards are some of nature's greatest climbers. The tiny hairs on gecko's feet help them stick to nearly any surface. Now, meet sticky-bot. Researchers at Stanford University combine Mother Nature and a mother board to build this climbing machine.</s>SALOMON TRUJILLO, PH.D. STUDENT, STANFORD UNIVERSITY: We draw a lot of the inspiration of the robot and adhesive directly from how geckos climb.</s>TUCHMAN: The feet are equipped with rubber pads made up of microscopic hairs, much like a gecko. Each leg is powered by four mini-motors. And even the tail serves a purpose. It acts as an anchor and helps balance the bot, but this research funded partially by the Department of Defense isn't just to create a cool new toy.</s>TRUJILLO: Adhesives have been looked at everything from space exploration to military uses to manufacturing uses. The robotic research is very important because we want to be able to send robots into challenging environments. It's really about making robots go anywhere we want them to go.</s>TUCHMAN: And beyond the robots, researchers say there's interest in gecko-inspired boots and gloves. One day, we might even see military troops or firefighters scaling walls just like the super hero from the movie "Spider Man." Gary Tuchman, CNN.</s>ROBERTS: Yes, but can they sell you insurance? Top stories coming your way right after the break. Stay with us.
Robots Inspired by the Gecko