An underwater robot in a flood rescue effort? A snake-shaped robot penetrating debris to search for survivors of an earthquake? A flying robot monitoring fire danger in forest? The common dream of mankind of a world aided by robots may soon become a reality.

The Shenyang Institute of Automation (SIA) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the International Resure System Institute of Japan jointly set up a Sino-Japan Rescue and Safety Robot Technology Research Center Monday to conduct research and development into robots for disaster relief purposes.

Han Jianda, a research fellow with the Shenyang Institute of Automation, said that disaster-relief robots could be applied widely in rescue efforts in dangerous environments after flooding, earthquakes, fires, leaks of poison and other disasters.

Scientists can install life explorers, positioning meters, mechanical arms and various remote sensing instruments into these robots and control and operate these robots through wireless telecommunications devices, according to Han.

Researcher Wang Hongguang with the Shenyang Institute of Automation, said these robots can also be used to prevent and treat plant diseases and insect pests and inspect and maintain long-distance energy resources transmission pipes and other facilities.

The Shenyang Institute of Automation is a major Chinese robot technology research institution with the capability to develop underwater robots, industrial robots and special type robots.

The International Resure System Institute of Japan is mainly engaged in research and development of robots for rescue operation after earthquakes.

Satoshi Takokor, chairman of the Japan Institute, said that cooperation would help promote research and development of disaster relief robots in the two countries.

(Xinhua News Agency September 14, 2005)