Robots programmed to save the world

Super sophisticated robots designed to help humans in times of natural or man-made disasters, competed head-to-head this weekend, to see which bot would reign supreme in a $2 million competition, known as the DARPA Robotics Challenge Finals.

In this photo, the Jet Propulsion Labs' Team RoboSimian 275-pound robot climbs out of a Polaris vehicle after driving through obstacles at the Fairplex in Pomona, California, June 5, 2015.

Team Valor - ESCHER

Virginia Tech's Team Valor semi-autonomous ESCHER (Electromechanical Series Compliant Humanoid for Emergency Response) bi-pedal robot uses LIDAR laser mapping to create a 3-D image of its surroundings during the second day of the DARPA Robotics Challenge in Pomona, California, June 6, 2015.

Organized by DARPA, the Pentagon's science research group, the challenge pitted 23 teams from around the world against each other to compete for a total of $3.5 million in prize money, awarded to the robots that best respond to natural and man-made disasters.

DARPA Robotics Challenge

A robotic arm developed by the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory is on display at the DARPA Robotics Challenge in Pomona, California, June 6, 2015.

The competition was established after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan to accelerate the development of robots that could perform specific, dexterous tasks to enter areas too dangerous for humans.

DARPA Robotics Challenge

An operator attempts to push over a Boston Dynamics' four-legged Spot robot, designed for indoor and outdoor operation, during the DARPA Robotics Challenge in Pomona, California, June 5, 2015.

The competing robots were required to complete four simulated disaster courses which included eight tasks -- including driving a vehicle alone, walking through rubble and power drilling.

Team Tartan Rescue - CHIMP

The Team Tartan Rescue CHIMP (CMU Highly Intelligent Mobile Platform) robot from Carnegie Mellon University is prepped in the team garage during the finals of the DARPA Robotics Challenge in Pomona, California, June 6, 2015.

A dozen teams from the U.S. plus another 11 from Japan, Germany, Italy, South Korea and Hong Kong competed to win a portion of the $3.5 million awards by operating humanoid robots across a task and obstacle course.

CHIMP, seen here, came in third place, earning $500,000 in prize money. Chimp finished the course in 55 minutes.

DARPA Robotics Challenge

A woman reaches to touch a robotic arm developed by the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, on display at the DARPA Robotics Challenge Expo in Pomona, California, June 6, 2015.

Team Valor - ESCHER

Team Valor's semi-autonomous ESCHER (Electromechanical Series Compliant Humanoid for Emergency Response) robot walks through the 'slalom' section of the DARPA Robotics Challenge at the Fairplex in Pomona, California, June 5, 2015.

DARPA Robotics Challenge

Virginia Tech's Team Valor semi-autonomous, bi-pedal ESCHER (Electromechanical Series Compliant Humanoid for Emergency Response) robot walks through the 'slalom' task on the second day of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Robotics Challenge at the Fairplex June 6, 2015 in Pomona, California.

Atlas Running Man"

Fingers crossed, team members from IHMC Robotics watch as the Atlas Running Man robot, built by Boston Dynamics, walks out of a vehicle during the finals of the DARPA Robotics Challenge in Pomona, California, June 6, 2015.

DARPA Robotics Challenge

Team Valor's semi-autonomous ESCHER (Electromechanical Series Compliant Humanoid for Emergency Response) robot lays on the ground after a misstep on the course landed the bot on its back during the first run in the robotics challenge in Pomona, California, June 5, 2015.

Walk-Man

Walk-Man, developed by the Italian University of Pisa team, passes through a door during the finals in Pomona, California, June 5, 2015.

Pepper - the emotional robot

Yaretzi Bernal, 6, gets a hug from Pepper, the emotional robot, on display during the finals of the DARPA Robotics Challenge in Pomona, California, June 5, 2015.

Four-foot tall, Pepper was designed and built by Softbank, a Japanese Internet and telecommunications company, to sense and be able to respond to a user's mood. Pepper uses facial-recognition software, cameras, sensors and audio recorders. Pepper also, amazingly, speaks 17 language.

DARPA Robotics Challenge

The Team Nedo-JSK robot is plugged into a laptop in the team garage as it is readied for the finals of the DARPA Robotics Challenge in Pomona, California, on June 6, 2015.

HEBI Robotics Snake Monster hexapod

A child uses the HEBI Robotics Snake Monster hexapod robot's cord to pull it in different directions in Pomona, California, June 5, 2015.

DARPA Robotics Challenge

Robot Meccano watches the action during the finals of the DARPA Robotics Challenge at the Fairplex complex in Pomona, California on June 6, 2015.

DARPA Robotics Challenge

The robot 'CHIMP' developed by Team Tartan Rescue from the U.S. prepares to complete a task during the finals of the DARPA Robotics Challenge in Pomona, California, June 6, 2015.

Baymax plush toy

A spectator holds a Baymax plush toy from the Disney movie "Big Hero 6" while watching the DARPA Robotics Challenge in Pomona, California, June 5, 2015

'Biosleleve'

Created by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the 'Biosleeve,' a device that can control a robot using sensors that detect the user's gestures, was on display during the final day of the DARPA Robotics Challenge Expo in Pomona, California, June 6, 2015.

DARPA Robotics Challenge

A line of Robotis Dynamixal Mini robots dance to music at the Fairplex in Pomona, California, June 6, 2015.

DARPA Robotics Challenge

Mark Waldbaum (C) of Team Tartan Rescue CHIMP (CMU Highly Intelligent Mobile Platform) robot from Carnegie Mellon University has its tracks changed in the team garage during the finals of the DARPA Robotic Challenge in Pomona, California on June 6, 2015.

Bird robot

Robots of all types and sizes were on display during the final day of the DARPA Robotics Challenge Expo in Pomona, California, June 6, 2015.

DARPA Robotics Challenge

The robot, RoboSimian, developed by the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory completes a task with a power drill during the finals of the DARPA Robotics Challenge in Pomona, California on June 6, 2015.

Robots from six countries including the United States, Japan and South Korea competed against each other in a disaster response challenge, designed in response to the 2011 Fukushima nuclear meltdown in Japan.

DARPA Robotics Challenge

Children pose in front of a promotional poster during the DARPA Robotics Challenge finals in Pomona, California, June 5, 2015.

DARPA Robotics Challenge

The Team WPI-CMU robot climbs over cinder blocks during the finals of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Robotic Challenge in Pomona, California, June 6, 2015.

DARPA Robotics Challenge

Momaro, developed by Team NimbRo Rescue from Germany, prepares to complete a task during the finals of the DARPA Robotics Challenge at the Fairplex complex in Pomona, California on June 6, 2015.

SRI Robotics Micro Factory micro-robot

A SRI Robotics Micro Factory micro-robot rides a circut ribbon while demonstrating how hundreds of tiny machines can work in unison during the DARPA Robotics Challenge Expo at the Fairplex in Pomona, California, June 6, 2015.

DARPA Robotics Challenge

Team Tartan Rescue's CHIMP (CMU Highly Intelligent Mobile Platform) robot uses a hand-held power tool during the cutting task of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Robotics Challenge at the Fairplex June 6, 2015 in Pomona, California.

Built by Carnegie Mellon University-NREC, CHIMP took home a third prize check for $500,000.

DARPA Robotics Challenge

Virginia Tech's Team Valor semi-autonomous ESCHER (Electromechanical Series Compliant Humanoid for Emergency Response) robot attempts the door task during the second day of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Robotics Challenge at the Fairplex June 6, 2015 in Pomona, California.

DARPA Robotics Challenge

The Team RoboSimian robot from Jet Propulsion Labs makes it to the stair task before ending its run in Pomona, California, June 6, 2015.

DARPA Robotics Challenge

Team Tartan Rescue's CHIMP (CMU Highly Intelligent Mobile Platform) robot walks through a doorway during the finals of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Robotic Challenge in Pomona, California, June 6, 2015.

DARPA Robotics Challenge

The Team Nedo-JSK robot is awarded a point after opening and walking through a door during the finals of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Robotic Challenge in Pomona, California, June 6, 2015.

Second place - Running Man

The Running Man Atlas robot, operated by Team IHMC Robotics, raises its arms in the air in jubilation after completing the DARPA Robotics Challenge in Pomona, California, June 6, 2015.

Running Man completed the course in just over 50 minutes for a second place finish.

Winner - Team Kaist's DRC-HUBO

Team Kaist's DRC-HUBO robot successfully uses a power hand tool during its final run in the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Robotics Challenge in Pomona, California, June 6, 2015.

The Korean robot completed all its tasks in a winning time of less than 45 minutes to take home the top prize of $2 million.

Team Kaist's DRC-HUBO robot

Fans pose for photographs with Team Kaist's DRC-HUBO robot after its successful run during the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Robotics Challenge in Pomona, California, June 6, 2015.

Team Kaist from South Korea won first prize in the robotics challenge.