PREVIEW

Firefighting robots capable of withstanding temperatures of more than 1,400°F are set to be deployed in dangerous environments too risky for human crews.

Unveiled by South Korean car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Company, the Unmanned Firefighting Robot is designed to enter extreme situations involving high heat, explosions, toxic gases or thick smoke.

The machines are intended to safeguard firefighters by tackling incidents where the risk of structural collapse or hazardous conditions makes human intervention difficult.

The advanced mobility solution was developed by Hyundai in collaboration with Kia, Hyundai Rotem, Hyundai Mobis and the National Fire Agency.

The robot can identify the source of a fire remotely and assess the situation before approaching the blaze and extinguishing it directly.

Built on HR-SHERPA - a multi-purpose unmanned vehicle platform originally developed for military operations - the robot combines unmanned electrification technology with remote-control capability, enhanced vision systems and an integrated thermal-management package designed for extreme environments.

To function safely in high temperatures, its body features a self-spraying water-cooling system along with a specialised insulation structure.

These allow the robot to withstand temperatures of up to 800°C (1,472°F) while maintaining the safe operation of its battery and onboard electric control systems.

Equipped with an advanced self-driving assistant system, the machine can detect terrain and obstacles to reduce collision risks in cluttered, tight or curved environments.

It can travel at speeds of up to 50 km/h (13.8 m/s) and cross barriers up to 300m.

An AI-enhanced camera system uses short- and long-wave infrared thermal imaging sensors to provide clear situational awareness in hazardous environments filled with dust, smoke and intense heat.

This allows operators to safely navigate and assess fire scenes even when visibility is poor.

The robot also carries a high-pressure firefighting hose with photoluminescent properties, allowing it to glow in dark or smoky conditions.

The illumination helps firefighters identify entry directions and escape routes in low-visibility environments.

Each of the robot’s six wheel systems has its own motor, allowing precise movement and 360-degree turning in tight spaces.

In addition to tackling blazes, the Unmanned Firefighting Robot can collect and digitise data from disaster scenes.

“The true value of this robot is not merely its heat resistance or fire suppression power, but its role as a ‘Physical AI’ that operates in actual disaster sites,” said Seung-ryong Kim, Acting Commissioner of the National Fire Agency.

“In extreme environments where firefighters cannot enter, it will collect and learn from real-world operational data to develop into a sophisticated disaster response platform,” he continued.

Looking ahead, Hyundai plans to work with the National Fire Agency and the National Fire Research Institute to develop a fully autonomous firefighting system.

The future platform would independently analyse situations, assess conditions, identify the source of a fire, determine suppression priorities and calculate the most effective way to extinguish the blaze without human control.