I remember the story of Americans mailing RC cars to our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq to be used as anti-mine and IED devices. Much lower cost than sending a guy or even an expensive robot over to check out the mystery lump next to the road.
When I rejoined in 2011, was shown a counter ied video.
They had a large remote arm shoving what looked like a concrete curb stop.
Nothing looked out of sorts at all.
Then something exploded.