At the Heart of Disaster: Tomsk Reconnaissance Robots Take on the Most Dangerous Work

Eyes and Hands of First Responders

Researchers at Tomsk State University have developed and patented a unique intelligent robotic system designed to survey hazardous areas. These are not merely machines, but autonomous scouts ready to enter zones that are lethal for humans.

The system, which combines ground-based and aerial robots, is built for operation in radiation-contaminated areas, earthquake aftermaths, structural collapses and other emergency scenarios. Its defining feature is intelligent autonomy.

The robots can be remotely controlled, but they are also capable of independently plotting routes, navigating around obstacles, coordinating as a group and generating detailed 3D maps of terrain. Equipped with dosimeters, gas analyzers, thermal imagers and high-resolution cameras, they effectively become the eyes and hands of emergency crews, delivering precise data to support decision-making. A tracked robotic platform, based on a crawler tractor design, can not only monitor toxic substances but also be used to evacuate people from hazardous zones.

Today there are fragmented developments that partially replicate the functionality of our inventions. The robotic system created at Tomsk State University stands apart from its closest counterparts due to its high processing speed, accuracy in self-localization and object detection. Its key advantage lies in the coordinated interaction between ground-based, aerial and hybrid ground–air robotic platforms

Vladimir Syryamkin

Head of the International Laboratory for Machine Vision Systems, Tomsk State University

Where It Is Too Dangerous for Humans

Global practice shows a clear trend toward replacing humans with machines in high-risk missions. The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident, for example, relied on Japanese robots to inspect reactor interiors. Robots from the U.S.-based iRobot have proven effective in radiation and biological reconnaissance and in detecting explosive devices. Germany’s Telemax systems are widely used for removing and neutralizing explosive hazards, while in China robots are deployed to service high-voltage power lines.

The Tomsk development occupies a distinct niche, with its emphasis on adaptability to complex terrain, real-time data analytics and, critically, the potential for lower costs enabled by Russia’s domestic hardware base and software stack.

Tomsk researchers see broad applications for their robots beyond emergency response. The system could provide round-the-clock monitoring of hazardous industrial sites and radioactive waste storage facilities, enabling early detection of leaks. During wildfires, robots could assess smoke boundaries and analyze air chemistry. In building collapses, they could penetrate debris fields to locate ignition sources or signs of life beneath rubble.

Beyond Human Limits

The future points toward fully autonomous systems capable of operating in environments with damaged infrastructure, where communication with human operators may be unreliable or unavailable. The concept of swarm intelligence, in which dozens of small robots independently survey vast areas, share data and carry out tasks ranging from mapping to targeted sample delivery, is no longer science fiction.

The Tomsk platform could logically evolve to autonomously recognize threats, such as structural cracks or radiation sources, and make initial operational decisions.

The creation of this robotic complex represents a tangible contribution to both national and global safety. These steel scouts, born in research laboratories, may soon stand permanent watch, protecting human lives in places where the boundary between safety and catastrophe is exceptionally thin.