Aussie machine on way to help

The Defence Force robot is designed for explosives work. Photo / Supplied

The robot sent into the Pike River Mine was operating outside of its primary role when it broke down.

The Herald understands the Defence Force robot used in yesterday's failed Pike River Mine entry was normally used with explosive devices by Army operators.

The robot, which normally operates in all outdoor weather, had yesterday been used successfully in the dripping water, dust and high temperatures inside the mine.

But it malfunctioned after going under a large gush of water about 550m inside.

The battery-powered robot can be remotely-operated and had been modified for expected conditions.

In its standard configuration it operates with four cameras; two for movement and two on the arm.

It can perform reconnaissance, object retrieval and weapons delivery in hazardous sites.

Yesterday the Western Australian Government confirmed it was sending a robot to help with the search.

The Australian robot is a skid-steered remotely-operated vehicle equipped with cameras, lights, communications and gas testing equipment.

It is controlled via a fibre-optic cable and has a range of up to 6km.

Texas A&M University professor and robot specialist Robin Murphy told the Science Media Centre it was always a long shot to use any robot for a situation or environment that it is not designed for.

"The environment is tough - dark, wet, cold so even on a level floor that would be easy for a person to walk on a 'regular' robot can quickly short out, get its sensors covered in muck, mechanically seize up, or the operator make a mistake," she said.

Dr Murphy, who has experience in robots for search and rescue operations including at the World Trade Centre and for Hurricane Katrina, said there had been no "live saves" with robots.

Only one robot has been designed specifically for mine rescue - the Inuktun Mine Crawler - used during the Crandall Canyon Utah mine collapse.