# Fence-Climbing Robots The 'Ghost Minitaur' Can Climb Fences and Stairs and Open Doors By Joey Haar | Published 2016-09-20 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ghost-minitaur References: [engadget](https://www.engadget.com/2016/09/19/fence-climbing-robot-could-be-priced-within-your-reach/) & [ghostrobotics.io](http://www.ghostrobotics.io/minitaur/) Philadelphia-based company [Ghost Robotics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/Accenture-Ventures)' new bot, called the Ghost Minitaur, looks cute, but it also packs serious functionality. The versatile robot uses technology from the [University of Pennsylvania](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/swimming-robots-1) to do things like flip itself over when upended, climb stairs and fences, and even open certain types of doors. With all those functions, one might expect the Ghost Minitaur to be roughly humanoid in shape, but the 40 centimeter-long bot actually manages all these tasks with a [four-legged design](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/robot-dog-concept). In terms of regular mobility, the robot runs with a gait that looks something like a hare's, bouncing forward by rocking onto its hind legs. To climb fences, the Ghost Minitaur uses small hook-like feet to slowly pull itself up. the bot can also open doors with lever-style handles by jumping and simultaneously pushing down the handle while pushing the door forward. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.2/10 - Popularity: 36% | Activity: 22% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [AI](https://www.trendhunter.com/ai) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Versatile Robots:** The Ghost Minitaur showcases the potential for robots to have a diverse range of functions, from climbing fences to opening doors. - **Four-legged Design:** The innovative use of a four-legged design in the Ghost Minitaur provides stability and enables it to perform multiple tasks efficiently. - **Autonomous Mobility:** The Ghost Minitaur's ability to flip itself over and climb stairs demonstrates the advancement of autonomous mobility in robotics. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Robotics:** The robotics industry can explore the development of versatile and autonomous robots for various applications such as surveillance and maintenance. - **Home Security:** The home security industry can leverage fence-climbing robots like the Ghost Minitaur to enhance perimeter surveillance and detection systems. - **Smart Home Technology:** The smart home technology industry can incorporate door-opening robots like the Ghost Minitaur to provide convenient and automated access control solutions. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Standing Quadruped Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/anymal-robot.md) - [Hopping All-Terrain Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ascento-pro.md) - [Rugged Quadruped Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rugged-quadruped-robots.md) - [Diminutive Quadruped Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/quadruped-robot.md) - [Balance Beam-Walking Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/quadruped-robots.md) - [Humanoid Chore Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mindon-unitree-g1.md) - [Bio-Inspired Transforming Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bioinspired-transforming-robot.md) - [Robotic Four-Legged Dogs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/robotic-fourlegged-dog.md) - [Stair-Climbing Robotic Vacuums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ascender-robot.md)