A researcher poses with 'Eddie', a wall-climbing robot insect developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA. Here, Eddie is seen attached to a glass panel by means of the two large vacuum-driven suction pads which he uses for locomotion. Robot insects are miniature robots, produced using nanotechnology and micromechanics techniques and programmed to perform a very simple task. Using this approach, known as 'artificial stupidity', researchers are hoping to be able to produce tiny robots capable of performing simple inspections and repairs within the interiors of otherwise inaccessible machinery. The main limit to their work is the size of available motors.