setae. These bristles are so small that they attract and stick to other surfaces using something called Van der Waals force. This attraction of inter-molecular forces between molecules should allow C.A.R.D. to climb up dirty chimneys with ease. Currently, scientists are developing gecko-like adhesives with many potential applications and are already scaling buildings. While C.A.R.D. cannot yet be produced because of technological limitations, 3D printers should be able to print small enough for C.A.R.D. within the next two decades.  

          There were initial concerns involving the weight of C.A.R.D. which were dismissed at the discovery of a new study from the University of Massachusetts. The study found that the stiffer, or less compliant, the gecko’s adaptations get, the stronger they become. The increased rigidity serves as a spring which allows larger geckos to scale surfaces just as easily as their smaller counterparts. This will benefit C.A.R.D. because the wheels can be made stiffer to account for limited surface area and heavier weight. 

          Geckos’ at one point baffling ability to scale virtually any surface using microscopic fibers is now being replicated for human use. While wheel treads with the same micro-fibers cannot currently be produced, once 3D printers are able to print small enough the geckos' setae can be recreated. With this future technology, C.A.R.D. will be able to clean chimneys more efficiently and thoroughly than today.