A serpentine robotic crawler, comprising: a first frame having a distal end, a proximal end, and a first drive subsystem operable therewith; a second frame having a distal end, a proximal end, and a second drive subsystem operable therewith; and an articulating linkage coupling the first and second frames together about their respective proximal ends, the articulating linkage having at least one actuated joint (910a-e); characterized by a dexterous manipulation system comprising: a first dexterous manipulator coupled to the distal end of the first frame, and comprising a first jointed member rotatably coupled to the first frame, and first and second rotational joints supported about the first jointed member, the first jointed member and the first and second rotational joints of the first dexterous manipulator operable to provide movement of the first dexterous manipulator within at least three degrees of freedom (around axis A, B and C) relative to the first frame to facilitate performance of a dexterous operation; and a second dexterous manipulator coupled to the distal end of the second frame, and comprising a second jointed member rotatably coupled to the second frame, and first and second rotational joints supported about the second jointed member, the second jointed member and the first and second rotational joints of the second dexterous manipulator operable to provide movement of the second dexterous manipulator within at least three degrees of freedom (around axis A, B and C) relative to the second frame to facilitate performance of a dexterous operation; wherein the first and second frames are positionable to bring the first and second dexterous manipulators into a working position, and wherein the first dexterous manipulator and the second dexterous manipulator perform individual dexterous operations that are coordinated with one another. a first frame having a distal end, a proximal end, and a first drive subsystem operable therewith; a second frame having a distal end, a proximal end, and a second drive subsystem operable therewith; and an articulating linkage coupling the first and second frames together about their respective proximal ends, the articulating linkage having at least one actuated joint (910a-e); characterized by a dexterous manipulation system comprising: a first dexterous manipulator coupled to the distal end of the first frame, and comprising a first jointed member rotatably coupled to the first frame, and first and second rotational joints supported about the first jointed member, the first jointed member and the first and second rotational joints of the first dexterous manipulator operable to provide movement of the first dexterous manipulator within at least three degrees of freedom (around axis A, B and C) relative to the first frame to facilitate performance of a dexterous operation; and a second dexterous manipulator coupled to the distal end of the second frame, and comprising a second jointed member rotatably coupled to the second frame, and first and second rotational joints supported about the second jointed member, the second jointed member and the first and second rotational joints of the second dexterous manipulator operable to provide movement of the second dexterous manipulator within at least three degrees of freedom (around axis A, B and C) relative to the second frame to facilitate performance of a dexterous operation; a first dexterous manipulator coupled to the distal end of the first frame, and comprising a first jointed member rotatably coupled to the first frame, and first and second rotational joints supported about the first jointed member, the first jointed member and the first and second rotational joints of the first dexterous manipulator operable to provide movement of the first dexterous manipulator within at least three degrees of freedom (around axis A, B and C) relative to the first frame to facilitate performance of a dexterous operation; and a second dexterous manipulator coupled to the distal end of the second frame, and comprising a second jointed member rotatably coupled to the second frame, and first and second rotational joints supported about the second jointed member, the second jointed member and the first and second rotational joints of the second dexterous manipulator operable to provide movement of the second dexterous manipulator within at least three degrees of freedom (around axis A, B and C) relative to the second frame to facilitate performance of a dexterous operation; wherein the first and second frames are positionable to bring the first and second dexterous manipulators into a working position, and wherein the first dexterous manipulator and the second dexterous manipulator perform individual dexterous operations that are coordinated with one another.