Undergraduate students from Utah State University have created a wearable wall-scaling device that doesn’t use grappling hooks- instead, vacuum power. The team managed to win The Air Force Research Laboratory Design Challenge, which required applicants to create a breakthrough technology enabling a person to climb a 90-foot wall faster than the technology currently available.

The Personnel Vacuum Assisted Climber is a significant breakthrough because it scales the wall without the usage of grappling hooks or any suspended ropes. According to Phys.org:

Each ascender is battery-powered and is designed to operate for about 30 minutes. The system involves handheld suction pads, to provide enough suction top get at least 300 pounds over the wall. Tubes attach the battery-powered vacuum in the backpack to the pads worn on the hands, allowing suction to seal the pads, and the person, to the wall.

Check out the video below to see the Personnel Vacuum Assisted Climber in action:

Utah State University