Hyundai announced the unimaginatively named Unmanned Firefighting Robot last week – but this life-saving robot isn’t just a futuristic concept. The first operational unit was donated and deployed at the National Fire Agency, where it hopes to prove that there are some jobs robots should take from humans.
Hyundai believes its Unmanned Firefighting Robot can save human lives by being preemptively deployed to active fires and other high-risk scenes that are especially dangerous to humans due to risks of collapse, explosion, high temperatures, toxic gas, or dense, acrid smoke. The robot’s on-board AI works with remote operators to identify and assesses the scene upon its arrival, approach the fire’s source, and work to directly extinguish the blaze.
By tackling dangerous situations in place of people, Hyundai’s robotic firefighter ultimately saves more lives by going into hotter, more dangerous fires sooner, and helps more first responders find their way home.
To that end, Hyundai has baked a number of advanced technologies into its new robot that cover the full range of automotive ADAS we’re familiar with, but adds in some aditional fun stuff like “advanced sensing,” an automatic hose reel, airless Tweels, and more:
Advanced Self-driving Assistance System: The system recognizes surrounding terrain and obstacles to minimize collision risk in curved, narrow, or obstacle-dense environments. The robot has a top speed of 50 kph and can handle inclines of up to 60 percent longitudinally and 40 percent transversely, allowing it to reliably access sloped areas like underground parking lots or warehouse ramps. It can also traverse vertical barriers up to 300 mm.
AI Vision-enhancing Camera: Leveraging short and long wave infrared thermal imaging sensors, the camera provides critical situational awareness by transmitting precise, real-time video, even when visibility is poor due to dense smoke and high heat.
High-Pressure Self-illuminating Hose Reel: The high pressure photoluminescent hose mounted on the robot is a next generation firefighting hose that incorporates photoluminescent properties, allowing it to emit light on its own even in darkness. At sites where visibility is severely limited, firefighters typically rely on the hose to determine their entry direction and secure an escape route. In environments such as underground area, the hose emits or reflects light, guiding escape routes and supporting the safe movement of entry teams even when visibility is poor.
6×6 In-wheel Motor System: This electric powertrain from Hyundai Mobis places a motor in each of the six wheels, allowing for 360-degree rotation in place for exceptional maneuverability in tight spaces. It also features high durability through waterproof and dustproof electrical modules. By eliminating the need for a separate drive shaft, this design improves drive efficiency and control, showing significant potential for other mobility applications that require low-speed precision maneuvering, such as last-mile logistics robots and autonomous shuttles.
HYUNDAI MOTOR GROUP
“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,” explains Seung-ryong Kim, Acting Commissioner of Korea’s 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. This will usher in an era of hybrid convergence where humans and robots overcome their respective limitations.”
The Korea National Fire Agency reports that 1,788 firefighters have been injured or killed in the country over the past decade while at the scenes of fires.
Electrek’s Take
Look, I’m no fan of AI. If it was actually good, maybe – but my experience of AI has been that it’s a C-student, at best. That’s fine for general stuff, like if you have general legal or engineering questions or need to do some low- to mid-stakes Excel calculations, but for real, high-stakes, specialty knowledge? The C-students can’t cut it, and neither can their digital twins.
A burning building full of toxic fumes, though? That sounds like the perfect environment for the digital C-students to rush into, and if they can do it while saving human lives and making sure more brave first responders get home to their kids? I’m all-in. Well done, Hyundai.
SOURCE | IMAGES: Hyundai.
If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Comments