New Robot Enlisted for Fukushima Nuclear Cleanup Efforts

There are many types of robots out there, some of which we covered in the past, and now we get to see one whose purpose is grander than most others'.

“Rosemary” is a robot created by Japanese researchers in order to gain a self-developed means to more directly and efficiently deal with the aftermath of the nuclear meltdown at the Fukushima plant.

This is the second prototype and, though not quite yet ready to brave the irradiated wastes, it is close. It just has to be demonstrated by Future Robotics Technology Center at the Tokyo Skytree broadcast tower.

It can carry a weight of 132 lbs (about 60 kilograms, not counting its own, radiation-shielded hardware), can climb angles of up to 60 degrees and uses an onboard camera and a laser rangefinder for orientation.

The video feed is transmitted to a remote unit, where an operator can use a game pad to direct the bot from afar.

For those who don't remember, as unlikely as it may sound, the Fukushima plant suffered a nuclear meltdown after the damages incurred because of the earthquake and tsunamis of March 11, 2011.