Insect-sized bot is first to both fly, land

RoboBee uses static electricity to stick to surfaces

robotic perching insect

STATIC CLING  A sticky electroadhesive patch lets this tiny flying RoboBee (motion slowed to one-eighth real time) cling to the underside of a leaf and use far less energy than it uses flying.  

Carla Schaffer/AAAS

Houseflies stretch their legs to land.