Sandia Labs to test bomb squad teams in “Robot Rodeo” competition

Civilian and military bomb squad teams from across the country will take part in Sandia Labs’ 12th annual Western National Robot Rodeo this week, a competition that uses simulated scenarios to test the ability of first responders to use robots to complete hazardous tasks.

Ten bomb squad teams will take part in 11 competitions planned throughout the weeklong event. Last year’s simulated scenarios included “What a Mess,” which required teams to use a robot to stop a hazardous leak, and “Stairway to Heaven,” which tested the ability of robots to climb stairs and complete dexterity challenges.

“Each scenario is designed to push the teams and the robots to their limits, so they can learn how to work around those limits and gain confidence,” Jake Deuel, robotics manager and Robot Rodeo coordinator at Sandia Labs, said. “The bottom line of the Robot Rodeo is we’re trying to take good robot operators and turn them into great robot operators.”

Last year’s championship team, the Army’s 21st EOD Company, will return to defend their title. Also taking part are an Air Force EOD team, a Marine Corps EOD team and a Marine Corps EOD team. Civilian teams include police departments from Albuquerque, Farmington, and Los Alamos, as well as the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office, the New Mexico State Police and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office from California.

Two scenarios planned this year are called “Red Dawn” and “Water Park.” However, further details about the scenarios, and what skills they’ll require, not been released. Instructors from the FBI’s Hazardous Devices School will be on hand, along with sponsors from the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management to observe the competition.