Send in the 'Bots
2011-03-18 18:28:41.901502+01 by 
ebwolf 
 7 comments   
 
The US Air Force is sending in a Global Haw UAV 
with infrared sensors to assess WTF is happening with the Fukushima Dai-1 
reactor. Finally, someone's realizing realizing that 'bots can help.
 
[ related topics: 
Robotics Aviation Current Events Nuclear Disaster 
]
comments in ascending chronological order (reverse):
#Comment Re:  made: 2011-03-19 15:56:40.635656+01 by:
ebwolf
   
iRobot is sending in four of there best. Ironic that it seemed 
Japan was becoming the runaway leader in robotics but its US robots that are 
being called to action.
#Comment Re: made: 2011-03-19 20:03:43.704621+01 by:
p3t3rbuilt
   
That actually is really funny.  Hadn't thought about that.  All of Japan's 
robotics are apparently worthless for any useful application.
#Comment Re:  made: 2011-03-20 02:39:48.722381+01 by:
Larry Burton
   
Japan builds some of the best industrial robots in the world. The problem seems to be that their robots are either for industrial purposes or entertainment. More arcane uses seem to have been ignored.
#Comment Re:  made: 2011-03-20 04:36:26.615492+01 by:
ebwolf
   
"More arcane uses"... like saving their island from a runaway nuke plant?
#Comment Re:  made: 2011-03-20 14:13:44.584002+01 by:
Larry Burton
   
Eric, under the current circumstances that use doesn't look so arcane but under normal circumstances, yeah.
#Comment Re:  made: 2011-03-20 18:59:59.681898+01 by:
ebwolf
   
I'm actually a big fan of nuclear power. But I also have respect for the power of 
the atom. One should not prepare for "normal circumstance" when one is splitting 
atoms. I would have expected the Japanese to be especially tight on their disaster 
preparations when it comes to their nuke plants. For instance, the backup 
generators that were trucked in had the wrong power connector?!?
#Comment Re:  made: 2011-03-29 22:20:53.613198+02 by:
Larry Burton
   
I found an interesting article about the US exporting robots to Japan to help with the clean up of Fukushima Daiachi.