Robot firefighters go in first

In South Korea Hyundai has donated four unmanned firefighting robots to the National Fire Agency.

A donation ceremony for the remote fire suppression robots was held at the National 119 Rescue Headquarters in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province.

“Firefighters who rush into danger without hesitation to save lives remind us of the values our society must uphold,” Hyundai’s Euisun Chung said.

“The Unmanned Firefighting Robots that we are donating embody Hyundai Motor Group’s core technologies and represent a new form of mobility built on our shared goal of ‘technology that saves lives.”

The Unmanned Firefighting Robot was developed in collaboration with the Korea National Fire Agency and is based on Hyundai Rotem’s electrified, multi-purpose unmanned vehicle, the HR-Sherpa.

It is an electrified platform that is expected to operate effectively in confined spaces filled with toxic gases — conditions that limit the use of conventional internal‑combustion firefighting vehicles.

Equipped with remote‑driving capabilities, the HR‑Sherpa can be fitted with a wide range of mission‑specific equipment depending on operational needs.

Key features and functions of the Unmanned Firefighting Robot include:

Water Cannon: Mounted on the vehicle’s front, the nozzle allows for both direct and spray-type water control to effectively respond to various fire patterns
Self-Spraying System: Continuously sprays coolant from nozzles surrounding the robot, forming a water curtain around its exterior. This system protects the vehicle body from flames and allows it to maintain a temperature of 50-60°C in environments reaching up to 800°C
Vision-Enhancing Camera: An infrared sensor-based camera on the front of the robot ensures excellent object detection through flames and smoke, helping to identify a fire’s point of origin or individuals that need rescuing
Remote Operation: A remote operator receives real-time video from the unit’s vision-enhancing camera via a wireless connection, allowing for full control of the robot’s driving and firefighting functions
All-Terrain Mobility: The robot is equipped with special high-temperature-resistant tires and a six-wheel independent drive in-wheel motor system, allowing for smooth operation on difficult terrain amongst fire debris and obstacles

Some 1802 firefighters have been injured or killed in the line of duty over the past decade in South Korea.

The robot was designed using the Group’s technological capabilities and incorporates direct feedback from fire crews.

The four robots will be deployed in high-risk scenarios that are challenging for firefighters to access, such as: