Stanford researchers at the Cutkosky Lab have patented a method of towing or pushing an object using a micro-robot. This micro-robot can drag loads almost 2000x its weight by using controllable dry adhesive for robotic "feet" that can develop huge amounts of shear force.
Stanford researchers at the Cutkosky Lab have patented a low cost, passively activated gripper that can grasp large curved, textured or delicate objects using an adhesive film.
Engineers in Prof. Mark Cutkosky's laboratory have developed a gentle gripper device that can conform to, grasp, and lift a wide range of objects using an air bladder enhanced with gecko-inspired shear adhesion.