CLIMBING, WALKING AND INTERVENTION ROBOTS

Explains how the Automatic Control Department of the Institute de Auto matica Industrial (CSIC) in Madrid, Spain has been developing robots f or over 15 years. This activity began in the 1980s with the realizatio n of industrial robots and then the department focused its attention o n the area of robots for hostile/hazardous environments. Describes sev eral achievements in this field including a complex teleoperated syste m for steam generator inspection and maintenance in nuclear power plan ts; a tele-manipulator for servicing a new concept of urban infrastruc tures; a self-propelling climbing robot with magnetic feet; and a four -legged walking robot for hazardous environments.