RoboCrane. A technician at the controls of the RoboCrane robotic lifting device, seen during tests at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), USA. RoboCrane was designed to lift heavy objects, but also to be lightweight and to position loads with extreme accuracy. The crane consists of hydraulic support legs and braided steel cables which are fixed to the load. The 6- metre tall model may lift a load of 1000kg, and place it to an accuracy of 2mm. Sensors detect the tension in the cables, which is adjusted by a computer ten times per second to keep the load stable. Applications may include carrying drilling equipment, or the handling of hazardous waste.