Ukraine's first robot firefighter has been approved for military use.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense has formalized and authorized the use of an engineering ground-based robotic firefighting complex within the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
The robotic fire extinguisher complex is a crawler platform that moves and is equipped with unique tools to extinguish flames using pressurized water or foam.
An operator can safely guide the robot to the heart of the fire using a remote control panel, and adjust the flow of liquid to the fire source as needed.
The robot is set to become a vital asset on the battlefield, having been enhanced with military-grade improvements after it was first created for civilian rescue services.
The robot firefighter is equipped with an objective control video camera that provides live footage of the hazardous area where the fire is being fought.
It can operate up to 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) from its operator in open areas and up to 400 meters in more constrained environments.
The Ministry stated that even though it was originally designed for civilian emergency services, the robotic platform has attracted military interest due to its potential applications in dangerous scenarios, such as areas with unexploded ordnance, fires involving equipment with explosive risks, and other life-threatening situations.
In response to military needs, the robot has been upgraded with a reinforced undercarriage, extended control range, and enhanced battery life to meet the demands of these high-risk environments.
“Thanks to its tracked chassis, this robot firefighter can overcome difficult terrain, move burning debris, work at extreme temperatures and create a so-called “water wall” with its water cannon,” said a statement from the Ministry.
Details regarding the hardware specifications, control systems, and equipment manufacturer have not been disclosed.
The robotics industry is rapidly advancing to meet rising demand across various sectors. Recently, Guoxing Intelligent, a Chinese company, introduced a new line of fire emergency robots designed to combat severe fires.
These robots feature advanced detection systems, including thermal cameras, smoke detectors, and gas sensors, to effectively identify and address both fires and hazardous gases.
With teleoperation capabilities, they can be controlled from a safe distance, and their robust navigation systems—GPS, LiDAR, and inertial navigation—allow them to autonomously maneuver through both indoor and outdoor environments. This advanced technology also enables the machines to quickly reach the fire spot by avoiding obstructions.
Not just ground robots, researchers in Japan have developed an innovative flying robotic entity, the Dragon Firefighter, designed to support global firefighting efforts.
Resembling a “flying dragon,” this aerial firefighting robot combats dangerous fires that pose too great a risk for human firefighters. It hovers two meters above the ground and features eight adjustable water jets at its central and head regions.
A flexible nozzle, controlled by a unit on a wheeled cart connected to a fire truck with a 14,000-liter water reservoir, directs the water spray towards the flames.
The robot discharges water at 6.6 liters per second, with a pressure of up to one megapascal, and includes both a traditional and thermal imaging camera for enhanced fire detection.
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Jijo Malayil Jijo is an automotive and business journalist based in India. Armed with a BA in History (Honors) from St. Stephen's College, Delhi University, and a PG diploma in Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Delhi, he has worked for news agencies, national newspapers, and automotive magazines. In his spare time, he likes to go off-roading, engage in political discourse, travel, and teach languages.
