August 5, 2013 - Reuters reports on a flying robot navigating autonomously just based on the sense of touch, and able of perching on flat walls.
Relevant publications are:
L. Daler, A. Klaptocz, A. Briod, M. Sitti and D. Floreano. A Perching Mechanism for Flying Robots Using a Fibre-Based Adhesive. ICRA, Karlsruhe, 2013
A. Briod, P. M. Kornatowski, A. Klaptocz, A. Garnier and M. Pagnamenta et al. Contact-based navigation for an autonomous flying robot. IROS, Tokyo, Japan, 2013.