London, July 1 Rescue teams are all set to get a run for their money, for scientists have now unveiled a pioneering robotic rat that could search through rubble and burning buildings for survivors - using only its whiskers.

Called the Scratchbot, the robot used latest state-of-the-art technology to hunt through pitch black or smoke-filled rooms.

Scratchbot does all this only via touch sensors located on a set of whiskers, reports The Scotsman.

The robot could have huge implications in search and rescue missions by picking its way through rubble and debris or help in mine-clearing operations.

The device is the brainchild of researchers from the University of Bristol and University of Sheffield, who have spent six years and 500,000 pounds to research and designing the robotic rat that could revolutionise rescue missions.

The project was inspired by the use of touch in the animal kingdom - specifically how rats explore their environments using whiskers in poorly lit places. (ANI)