There are robots that compete in Germany to find their way through a maze. The maze simulates a natural disaster/terrorist attack. While the competition is just for fun, sources say that they plan on eventually perfecting these robots in order to replace humans on urban search and rescue missions to eliminate searcher casualties.
I chose this article because it hits close to home, (my dad is an active member of the USAR program) he has been to oklahoma city, katrina, and most notably 9/11. He hasn't heard anything about these robots because they are still in practice stages but thinks its a great idea even though he loves his job as a fireman and a rescue worker.

-Mark Sanchez

http://technology.newscientist.com/article/dn13744-rescue-robots-compete-to-save-dolls-in-distress.html