Korean robot carries day in disaster challenge

South Korean research scientists took home the $2 million top prize on Saturday after their robot triumphed in a disaster-response challenge inspired by the 2011 Fukushima nuclear meltdown in Japan.

Team KAIST and its DRC-Hubo robot took the honor ahead of Team IHMC Robotics and Tartan Rescue, both from the United States, at the DARPA Robotics Challenge after a two-day competition in California.

The runners-up won $1 million and $500,000 in a field of more than 20 competitors.