Described is a robotic apparatus (10) for investigating a confined area comprising: an articulated robot (20) for insertion into a confined area, the robotic apparatus further comprising a robot control system (30) for controlling the articulated robot. Further, the robot control system comprises a control unit (50), a robot driving means, a seal (70) for isolating the confined area from the external environment and at least one transmission member (80), wherein the control unit is configured to send control signals to the robot driving means, and the at least one transmission member extends from the robot driving means to connect to the articulated robot, the at least one transmission member extending through the seal.