Robotic Firefighters

A pair of robots has been designed to work together fighting fires in extremely hazardous environments where human intervention would be too dangerous or difficult. The duo is integrated with surveillance and command systems to create a “firefighting robot system” that can be sent autonomously to the scene of the blaze on a dedicated transport vehicle, where they proceed to work in tandem to extinguish the fire.

The Water Cannon Robot is equipped with a nozzle that can discharge water or foam at a rate of over 1,000 gallons (4,000 liters) per minute at a pressure of 1.0 MPa, or 10 times standard atmospheric pressure.

The Hose Extension Robot is designed to deploy up to 1,000 feet (300 meters) of hose as needed to the Water Cannon. After attaching to the water source, it lays the six-inch (150 millimeter) diameter hose on the ground, automatically extending and rewinding the right length to ensure that its partner can maneuver properly.

Both bots are equipped with GPS sensors and lasers to precisely control their movements. The chassis frames are designed with extra-strong suspension systems for off-road performance. The system was developed in cooperation with the Japanese Fire and Disaster Management Agency.