Firefighting robot to replace humans: Qinetiq develops remote-controlled vehicle to send into hazardous situations too dangerous for emergency services. (Robotics).

Engineer, The, May, 2002 by Helen Knight

A REMOTE-controlled robot that can be sent into burning buildings to tackle the blaze and send back important information could save firefighters' lives, its developers claimed this week.

The firefighting robot, designed by technology specialist Qinetiq, can drag a watercharged hose deep into a blaze and is capable of going into a variety of hazardous situations, including domestic, industrial and chemical fires.

In the past year alone 683 UK firefighters were injured in the course of their duties, and these numbers could be drastically reduced if robots were sent ahead into dangerous areas, said project manager Kiran Vadgama.

'The robot has its own nozzle and controllers, and can point the jet of water wherever you want. So where there is a risk...