"Spiderman" is the name given to our robot made in the Connecticut College robotics lab during the 2007 spring semester for the COM310 robotics class. We appropriately named this robot "Spiderman" because it has the ability to climb up 90 degree metal surfaces and once on any metal object, the robot can stop, start, backup, make zero degree turns, make gradual turns, and many other maneuevers. 

Stationary Spiderman attached to a metal cabinet

Spiderman uses two servo motors that have been altered to allow them to rotate 360 degress clockwise and counterclockwise.  Spiderman has two large magnetic wheels consisting of 12 magnets per wheel which allow the robot to climb metal walls and other magnetic objects. Spiderman is very versitle because it is able to use its wheels to maneuever on non-magnetic terrain as well as metal objects.  Using strong magnets on the wheels, Spiderman can easily make the transition between driving on a non-magnetic area to climbing a 90 degree metal surface without hesitation.     

Spiderman gripping a 90 degree metal surface

Spiderman will have two sonar sensors positioned on the front of the body over the wheels to control the navigation of the robot. Our current idea is to have Spiderman move towards objects as they become visible to the sensors in an attempt to climb them.