51�Թ�

"Amazing machines," said Lenaerts, as a mechanical arm swung four suction cups beneath the cow, who was casually relieved of a dozen litres of milk, destined for a nearby butter factory.

The new device works in a very similar way: A suction cup measuring about two and a half centimetres is attached to the patient's upper arm or back.

Bags of rice, boxes of tea, packets of crumpets are all grabbed by the arms using a suction cup on the end.

A new robotic suction cup which can grasp rough, curved and heavy stone, has been developed by scientists at the University of Bristol.

But existing techniques to attach sensors currently largely rely on invasive physical anchors, suction cups, and rigid glues.