“When something like Fukushima (Nuclear plant damaged during Japanese Tsunami 2011) happens, it would be very useful if the robots that are sent in could perform some sort of manipulation activity like closing a valve, recovering an object or operating a tool in a contaminated area,”
Chad Kessens a robotic manipulation researcher at ARL said. “Even opening a door or a hatch could allow the robot to better observe what’s going on inside the reactor while eliminating the risk of exposing people to radiation.”
http://www.prsnlz.me/articles/how-3d-printing-could-save-the-world/
