Rocky Talks Back: Confessions from Vale’s Most Charming Robot

This is Rocky the Rescue Robot’s third appearance at CCMEC.  He’s a member of Vale Thompson’s mine rescue team and is always a favourite at our event. We caught up with Rocky while he was strutting his stuff at the provincial mine rescue competition in Snow Lake this year.

Q: First thing – do you replace humans?

Rocky: Absolutely not. Humans are brave, clever, and surprisingly good at climbing over debris. I’m here to go where it’s too dangerous, too unstable, or too toxic for them. Think of me as the teammate who volunteers to check the scary tunnel first.

Q: What exactly do you do in an emergency?

Rocky: I can enter hazardous areas, carry cameras and sensors, map damaged spaces, detect gases, and send real-time information back to rescue teams. Basically, I’m the robot equivalent of “I’ll go look, but I’m bringing every flashlight imaginable.”

Q: What kind of dangers can you handle?

Rocky: Smoke, unstable ground, flooded passages, low visibility, heat, toxic gases — all the things humans wisely try to avoid. I’m built for rough environments. Dirt and chaos are my kind of jam.

Q: What’s the most important thing you provide during a rescue?

Rocky: Information. Rescue teams make better decisions when they know what’s ahead. I can give them live video, environmental readings, and route data before anyone has to step into danger.

Q: Be honest — how often do people try to race you underground?

Rocky: More often than management would probably like to hear;)

Q: What’s your favourite colour? 

Rocky: Yellow of course

Q: Who’s your celebrity crush: R2-D2 or WALL-E

Rocky: That’s no contest – R2-D2 all the way!

Come out to CCMEC 2026 to meet Rocky. Tickets are on sale now. Click here to get your tickets today.