A robot to extinguish dangerous fires

Researchers have developed a remote-controlled firefighting robot which could save lives by battling blazes in conditions which are too dangerous for humans to get close.

The Thermite remote control firefighter has been developed by a company in the US which claims it is the world’s first robot designed to help save lives by removing the human element from the dangers of disaster control. It can be remote controlled from up to a quarter of a mile away, meaning that firefighters can close in on hazardous blazes and battle the flames with the high-pressure hose that spews up to 600 gallons a minute.

Propelled by durable caterpillar tracks able to traverse the most rugged terrain, the Thermite is designed to withstand conditions that would spell the end of other robots the same size. The robot is small enough to enter through an average size door, allowing access to hitherto difficult to reach interior spaces, yet powerful enough to drag weights of up to 576 kgs.

Hand-made from steel and aircraft grade aluminium, the Thermite could herald a revolution in handling serious disasters and out-of-control fires.

“The Thermite is a durable, compact, and self-contained fire-fighting and emergency response robot capable of handling situations and blazes that up to now needed to be tended rather than fought,” Maine-based Howe & Howe Technologies, said.

“From hazardous materials, chemical fires, train derailments or fuel farms, with this new tool the modern responder will not only be able to attack the problem, but can feel confident that their fire-fighters are safe doing so,” they said.