[ferret_guy]

I believe (I say this because all I have seen is from the field tour videos) that they are using the belay system to lower the robot so it would look somthing like this,

1) connect the belay system
2) release the pressure in the pneumatic system
3) Lower using the belay system
4) remove from field

But I agree with you that hard hats might be a very good thing to use