(EN) Disclosed is a robotic climbing platform comprising a chassis adapted to support a control system and an adhesion mechanism. The adhesion mechanism comprises at least one actuator and one or more suction pads adapted to form an adhesion force between the climbing platform and a climbing surface. The control system comprises a controller configured to receive a signal from one or more sensors adapted to measure the adhesion force between the suction pad and the climbing surface. The controller is further configured to output a signal to cause movement of the actuator, and compare the measured adhesion force to one or more characteristics. The platform is retained to a surface by low pressure regions between the suction pads and the surface which are maintained during sliding movement of the suction pads over the surface.