Development of an adhesion unit for a traveling-wave-type, omnidirectional wall-climbing robot in airplane body inspection

Abstract

In this study, we developed a wall-climbing robot for airplane body inspection. To move on airplane body, the robot needs to move on walls and curved surfaces. A traveling-wave-type, omnidirectional wall-climbing robot that uses magnetic force to adhere could move on such a wall and curved surface. However, magnetic force cannot be used to adhere to airplane body. Therefore, we developed a wall-climbing robot that uses negative pressure suction to adhere and move on airplane body. We performed basic experiments on the robot and designed the robot based on the experimental results.