The early sci-fi image of robots taking over hazardous tasks so far done by human beings came a step closer to realisation with the success of NASA's (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) Dante 2 robot in exploring an active volcano in Alaska. Descending more than 180 metres into the crater, the US $1.8 million 8-legged walking robot sampled gases spewing out from the volcano and sent extensive images to researchers via satellite.

Although the robot lost a leg after it hit a rock, it was repaired by the engineers who lowered replacement legs. (Communications of the Association for Computing Machinery)