[samstave]

If they have an additional ring around the outside of each cup, could they not suction the water back into the system?

Also, wouldnt this be easily defeatable with small dowel protruding "thorns" - or dimples, as on a golf ball - maybe alternating convex/concave dimple patterns? or other ridges?

[pretty_bubbles]

I don't think anyone is building suction robot proof buildings yet. It can barely climb the buildings we have now.

[pushpop]

I don’t think it’s possible to build a suction cup (or in fact any climbing tool) which will work 100% of the time against any countermeasure. However this design does seem a significant step forward from existing suction cups.