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A pair of humanoid robots that can operate in harsh conditions and provide disaster relief in the aftermath of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions have been unveiled in Japan.

Unlike in Hollywood films, where robots can run, jump and fly at high speeds, these 'droids are the "slow and steady" type.

Simulating work in a tunnel after a quake, the slender robots with tiny heads and sensors for eyes walked through fake debris to extinguish a fire during a demonstration at the International Robot Exhibition in Tokyo.

HRP-2 Kai, which is 1.7m tall, walked on a narrow board, while 1.88m-tall JAXON, developed by the University of Tokyo, moved forward by bending its back and putting both hands on the floor, judging that the ceiling was too low to move upright.

It then lifted itself up to remove a box and debris to secure a pathway - tasks that could be done even in a risky environment hazardous to humans.

The robots have been developed by Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Development (NEDO) initiative - a national research organisation that started up after a devastating magnitude 8.9 earthquake and subsequent tsunami hit northern Japan on 11 March 2011.

Given the country's propensity for natural disasters , this year's show is focused on robotic equipment for disaster relief, as well as assisting the elderly and their caregivers, and farming.

However, the humanoid robots are far from perfect, suffering from balance problems on rough terrain. Jaxon suffered an embarrassing incident when it tumbled and had to be carried away on a stretcher.

“Our priority is not about whether we win or not,” said NEDO robot division head Shuji Yumitori. “It is about whether we can create something that is useful for human beings.”

The four-day robot extravaganza has drawn nearly 450 participating organisations from countries including France, Britain, Russia and South Korea, showing off everything from superhero suits to artificially intelligent androids.

Other robots on show included Pepper , a humanoid robot designed to live with humans, and "Premaid AI", a 46cm tall humanoid robot that can dance.

However, there was no sign of Geminoid F, dubbed the " world's sexiest robot ", which stole the show at the World Robot Exhibition in Beijing last week.