The robot ‘watchdog’ that is able to sniff out radiation being tested by an operator at DSTO.

Australian scientists have developed a prototype remote-controlled robotic vehicle to detect radiation.

“This is a significant leap forward for Australia’s defence and national security agencies,” said the Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, Mr Warren Snowdon.

“It will greatly enhance our 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).

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

"Since the RASP concept demonstrator and integration testing of the ANSTO sensor has now been successfully completed, it is planned that 'scenario trials' will be undertaken about the middle of 2008,” said DSTO Weapon Robotics Group Acting Head, Dr Brian Jarvis.

“It is anticipated that these trials will be well attended by stakeholders from interested national security agencies including law enforcement groups. The further development of RASP, or its concept, will depend on the outcomes and the level of acceptance of these trials by the attendees and other decision makers.”

For the first time, it will be possible to provide national security agencies 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.

The mid-year scenario trials will closely emulate a real event involving radioactive material. If successful, and a capability void is seen to be adequately filled by a RASP type system, then further development may follow leading to an eventual operationally mature system.