Robots, when they aren't plotting to take over your job, are ideal for risky situations where humans could get hurt.
The CSIRO, Australia's peak science body, is working on using six-legged robots, or hexapods, that can go into an unpredictable, unstable environment and help people escape from a disaster.
"In an emergency, first responders often have to make a very tough call: can I enter the area safely or is it too dangerous?" says the CSIRO.
"It’s the most extreme risk versus reward analysis anyone could ever face, and the call is often made in mere moments and with very little information."
Watch the robots, with six legs to enable them to crawl over rough terrain, at work:
https://youtu.be/7VvRM5f3ZgY
"Having flexible legs with multiple joints improves stability on rough terrain," says the CSIRO.
"Our first hexapod models had three joints per leg. They were fantastic at walking on a flat surface, but as soon as they encountered a steep hill they lost their grip.
"Our latest hexapod models have two extra joints per leg and can now tackle up to 50% inclines. This is because they can widen their stance, creating a larger support polygon and shifting their centre of gravity to be within this polygon."
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