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From: fitz@frc.ri.cmu.edu (Kerien Fitzpatrick)
Subject: Re: Were there Chernobyl robots?  Info. nee
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Organization: Field Robotics Center, Carnegie Mellon University
References: <md6lc8INNib2@appserv.Eng.Sun.COM>
Date: Sun, 31 Oct 1993 17:13:29 GMT
Lines: 45

Our research group had some interaction with the Soviets right after the
incident and then hosted a visit from one of the principals involved in
the cleanup (and his KGB sidekick).

My memory is a bit rusty.  I believe any of the "robots" would have been
the remoted machines (dozers and I think concrete-forming machines) used
for cleanup and stabilization outside the building.  Our group was contacted
by the Soviets to see if they could obtain our RWV (Remote Work Vehicle)
for use during the cleanup.  At that time, GPU Nuclear owned the machine
so it couldn't make the trip to Russia.  The conversation turned to building
them a new machine, but all the delays/hassles with the US government
caused that to be dropped (we had two CMOS 6502 processors in the robot..).

My boss, Red Whittaker, travelled there at the request of one of the persons
overseeing the cleanup.  He has the best knowledge of what equipment was
used (red@frc.ri.cmu.edu).  I don't know if I would have gone - trust wasn't
running high at that time (Sure we are at a safe distance....).

The last interaction we had was when one of the principals in the cleanup
effort visited CMU to speak at our Robotics Institute 10th anniversary.  He
showed some videotape (which the KGB guy kept VERY close tabs on) and spoke
about what when on.  Soldiers had to run down corridors to the rooftop, scoop
up a shovel full, throw it over the edge, and run back.  We have one or two
pictures provided by them - very fuzzy due to all the radiation.

As they close (for the most part) the site - I believe a lot of that was
down with remoted equipment.  Its too bad the US or some other country
doesn't lead more of an effort in this area - if another major event 
occurred we wouldn't be much better off.  The most money would probably
be spent on a study....if we were to hear about it.  Did anyone catch
the segment on TV about Rocky Flats?  It might have been Dateline or
some such show.  When billions of $$ are involved - don't kid yourself
about how nice it is to live in a democracy.... 

---
Kerien Fitzpatrick			Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Field Robotics Center			(412)268-6564
The Robotics Institute			Internet: fitz@frc.ri.cmu.edu
Carnegie Mellon University

Boy are these my own comments....




