US robots bound for Japan

Washington: The US government is to send robotic aid to Japan to help regain control of the tsunami-damaged nuclear plant.

A top Energy Department official told a Senate panel on Tuesday that a shipment of "radiation hardened robotics" would be sent to Japan to assist in the crisis.

A department spokesperson said a robotic device from the Energy Department's Idaho National Laboratory was being shipped with several radiation-hardened cameras.

Peter Lyons, acting assistant energy secretary, said Japanese officials were "very, very interested" in learning more about the capabilities of US robots.

The Energy Department has also sent around 40 employees and more than 17,000 pounds (7,710kg) of equipment to Japan, Lyons said.