Robot watchdog to sniff out radiation

According to Snowdon this is a significant leap forward for Australia’s defence and national security agencies and it will greatly enhance the ability to respond to radioactive incidents.

The concept vehicle, known as RASP, for Remote Advanced Sensor Platform, was developed jointly by the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), he said.

“It’s small and light and can be operated from distances of up to 350 metres with full control of the robot,” said Snowdon. “It could be deployed in almost any area or location, from aircraft to cargo containers.”

He claimed it will be the first time national security agencies will be provided with the ability to remotely identify the nature of the radioactive sources.

“Emergency officers who detect the presence of radiation with their handheld instruments would be able to send in RASP and quickly discover if it has a half-life of several days or fifty thousand years,” he said.

Snowdon said mid-year scenario trials will be taken at ANSTO and the scenarios will closely emulate a real event involving radioactive material.