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Japan
Plans Robot to Hunt Afghan Landmines http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20020115/tc/attack_japan_afghan_robots_dc_1. html Japan plans to develop a robot to detect land mines and send it to Afghanistan (news - web sites) next year, Kyodo news agency reported Tuesday. Between 5 million and 10 million land mines litter the war-torn nation, with explosions killing or maiming about ten people every day, the United Nations (news - web sites) estimates. Kyodo, quoting the Science and Technology Agency, said that seven specialists will try to develop a robot that will be capable of detecting mines even if some of its functions are destroyed in explosions. The robot could have six legs, or be snake-like, it added. Representatives of governments, international and aid agencies who met in Tokyo last month to discuss ways to rebuild Afghanistan said it would cost upwards of $500 million to clear the devices and could take as long as seven to ten years. Most of the mines were placed by Soviet forces during their decade-long occupation of Afghanistan, which ended in 1989. The plan will be announced next week when Japan, the United States, Saudi Arabia and the European Union (news - web sites) will co-chair a major donors' meeting on Afghan reconstruction, Kyodo said, but gave no further details. Copyright © 2002 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. |
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