Published March 22, 2011
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- Engineers work to get the robots ready for deployment to Japan. (Courtesy of iRobot)
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- One of the robots that will be sent to Japan (Courtesy of iRobot)
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- Engineers work to get the robots ready for deployment to Japan. (Courtesy of iRobot)
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- Engineers work to get the robots ready for deployment to Japan. (Courtesy of iRobot)
Bedford robotics company iRobot is sending four of its machines to Japan to help get the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant under control. While the company is known for the popular vacuuming robot Roomba, the machinery going to Japan is a little more high-tech.
The company will send two PackBot and two Warrior robots to assist Japan’s Self-Defense Force at the country’s crippled nuclear plant. These robots can maneuver dangerous terrain, detect toxic chemicals and radiation in the air and lift and tow heavy objects.
According to the Boston Herald, engineers altered one of the Warrior’s arms to be able to carry a fire hose, which could be used to cool the plant’s overheating reactors.
Six volunteers from the iRobot staff will travel to Japan to assist in the efforts.