Snake robot acts as an extra pair of eyes for the emergency services

Collapsed buildings or earthquake situations require survivors to be tracked down at speed and this eight metre snake called the Active Scope Camera is perfect for the job.

Using a millipede-type action to propel itself forward the bristle bellied machine, designed by Tohoku University in Japan, can creep around in the tightest of spots where sniffer dogs wouldn’t have a chance.

With a fibre-optic camera at its head, earthquake survivors may well think the major part of their trauma is over before seeing this strange creature crawling through the rubble.

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