Robots are summoned for military duty in Iraq

The mission in Iraq is not only for soldiers. Two tiny robots will also participate, the Korea Institute of Science and Technology said yesterday. A science team led by Dr. Gang Seong-cheol at the agency developed the robot, called Robhaz, to perform dangerous work in place of humans. Robhaz stands for Robot for Hazardous Application. The robot, costing 72 million won ($68,500), can climb a 40-degree slope and lift as much as 80 kilograms (176 pounds). It can move at a speed of up to 12 kilometers (6.5 miles) an hour. Robhaz, which is controlled wirelessly, will be used mainly for night patrol and bomb dismantling in the war-torn country. It has a fluoroscope for night vision and will use “water” bullets to destroy the explosives. By aiming the bullets at a bomb’s electric circuitry, it will destroy the bomb. Robhaz has another advantage: at a height of only 29 centimeters (11 inches), it will not be easily seen by the enemy, a researcher said. “We expect Robhaz to contribute to protecting Korean soldiers,” he added. Robhaz won a prize as the best robot for handling dangerous jobs in a competition held by the University of New Orleans in the United States last month. by Park Bang-ju