( CNN ) -- As Japan 's disaster evolves , so too are the measures taken to mitigate the chaos . One such initiative comes from U.S. military contractor iRobot , which will help Japan 's army incorporate robots into their recovery efforts . The company joins at least two Japanese robotics teams on the ground in the quake- and tsunami-ravaged country , one of which operates an 8-meter-long , snakelike robot with a camera . iRobot , based in Bedford , Massachusetts , is donating four ground-based models to the Japan relief effort : two PackBots and two Warriors . The PackBot is an agile , battle-tested unit that 's been used for bomb dispersal , recon and other tactical operations . Depending on its configuration , it weighs 45 to 60 pounds and is known for being highly customizable . `` Not every robot works in every situation , '' says iRobot Vice President Tim Trainer , `` so they have to be configured appropriately . '' In Japan , the PackBot will be outfitted with HazMat sensors and deployed in areas of nuclear uncertainty , such as the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant , to search for chemical , biological or radiological anomalies . The larger Warrior model is a 347-pound robot that can traverse rubble or wreckage and carry up to 200 pounds . For this mission , it will be configured with firefighting capabilities that allow it to deploy fire hoses or clear away rubble . It complements the PackBots ' agility and scanning capabilities with the muscle to physically neutralize hot zones . Both the PackBot and the Warrior are remote-controlled from a distance of 800 meters ( about half a mile ) . The PackBot transmits data about hazardous conditions to an operator in real time . Because Japan 's relief workers face massive piles of impenetrable rubble , the robots might also play a key role in general search-and-recovery efforts , as the PackBot did at New York City 's ground zero in the aftermath of 9/11 . A dual track system on both units enhances mobility and makes it possible for them to navigate areas humans ca n't safely reach . The Packbots and Warriors are accompanied by six iRobot employees who will train Japan 's Ground Self-Defense Force in their use . The units can be operated with an Xbox or PlayStation controller in a straightforward plug-and-play fashion . Once in the field , robots that enter nuclear hot zones are n't necessarily expected to make it back out , as contamination could render them unsafe for later . But by going where relief teams should n't , they might prevent additional , unnecessary human casualties . `` This is why we got into robotics , '' said iRobot 's Trainer . `` To keep people out of harm 's way . '' Katie Linendoll is a technology expert , a TV personality and a CNN contributor . Follow her on Twitter @ KatieLinendoll .
U.S. company iRobot has donated four ground-based robots to help with recovery efforts . The PackBot is an agile , battle-tested unit used for bomb dispersal . It can be deployed in a matter of minutes and carries its own power supply.