Robot “snakebots” from Carnegie Mellon University were deployed to Venezuela after two earthquakes on 24 June killed more than 5,000 people and injured 16,740. Their ability to move through narrow gaps in collapsed buildings gave rescuers a way to inspect dangerous areas beyond the reach of people and larger equipment.

Each four-foot modular robot carries a camera and is operated with a game controller and tethered laptop, while software coordinates its movements. The team had previously used similar robots after Mexico City’s 2017 earthquake; after being contacted by Venezuelan native Beatriz Gonzalez, researchers rapidly prepared three robots and travelled via Miami to assist despite difficulties arranging a flight.