Robots compete in response to California disaster simulation in Pomona

POMONA, Calif. (KABC) -- Robots in the disaster response competition in Pomona must push buttons, turn valves, cut through a wall and drive a light utility vehicle.

Twenty-four teams from around the world are competing for the $2 million research award along with bragging rights in the rapidly developing robotics industry.

"We get most of our ideas about robotics from science fiction. And we want to show a little bit of science fact," said Gill Pratt, who organized the competition for the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, which focuses on futuristic technologies for national security.

The contest runs Friday and Saturday at the Pomona Fairplex at 1101 W. McKinley Avenue. The Defense Department hopes someday soon robots will be used to go into dangerous disaster zones.

Watch Sid Garcia's report in the video above.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.