ROBOT FIREFIGHTER TO THE RESCUE!

US Navy Robot Puts Out its First Blaze

Researchers at Virginia Tech recently oversaw a fire fighting exercise like no other, as the SAFFiR (Shipboard Autonomous Firefighting Robot) became the “first” humanoid robot to fight a fire. The program to build and test the robot has been in motion for the last four years and is sponsored by the Office of Naval Research (ONR). The robot which stands 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) and weighs 143 lbs (63 kilograms) is destined to form part of the US Navy’s firefighting kit of the future where it will tackle fires aboard ships without risking human lives.

Roboticists at Virginia Tech and Virginia Polytechnic Institute chose a bipedal, humanoid form for SAFFiR, as it was the type of shape that is best suited to the confined, obstacle laden layout of a ship. A human-like robot can also use firefighting gear designed for navy personnel, such as hose nozzles, protective coats, handheld sensors and backpack fire suppressants. SAFFiR can walk in all directions, balance on its feet in rough seas and control the firehose on its own (but currently takes instructions from a human operator). It is the conceptual ancestor of the more menacing looking THOR (Tactical Hazardous Operations Robot). The Navy eventually sees SAFFiR as a multi-functional robot, it could for example “be configured to take shipboard measurements, and scan for corrosion and leaks.”