With it being just over a year since the heart-wrenching Chilean mining disaster captured the world’s attention, Sandia National Labs has unveiled their new remote-controlled Gemini-Scout, a search and rescue robot specifically designed to respond to mining disasters.

A mine collapse brings with it many obstacles to overcome in order to save trapped miners. Poisonous vapors, explosive gases, flooded tunnels and, of course, the threat of another tunnel collapse can make rescue efforts dangerous and possibly deadly to responders. It’s imperative for the rescue team to have the critical information about the situation in order to complete the rescue safely.

Robots to the rescue! Sandia National Labs’ Gemini-Scout, controlled by an Xbox 360 remote, can climb over rubble piles and uneven terrain and move through up to 18 inches of water, all the while taking air measurements to let the rescue workers know if any explosive or flammable gasses are present. And just in case there are explosions, Gemini-Scout is equipped with explosion-proof casings. It’s also equipped with a thermal camera and two way radios to allow rescue workers to communicate with any trapped miners.