US to send radiation-hardened robots to Japan

April 1, 2011 | Source: Computerworld

iRobot 510 PackBot 510n performs dangerous missions for warfighters and first responders (credit: iRobot)

The U.S. government will ship an unspecified number of radiation-hardened robots to assist the Japanese in gaining control of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plants.

iRobot previously shipped four remote-controlled robots to help the Japanese military with its relief efforts. The robots are equipped with multiple cameras and can be operated from up to half a mile away.