"Robot" firefighters get put into service

We've seen robot firefighters before, and even a robot firefighting contest, but it looks like some brave bots from the folks at Qinetiq are among the first to actually see service, although their roles are decidedly limited for the time being. According to Popular Mechanics, the robots are only being used to put out fires involving Acetylene gas, which had previously simply been left to burn themselves out due to the risk of explosions. With the bots, however, they're able get things moving along far more quickly, which is especially useful when the blaze is causing train delays. It seems that's a job too big for just one robot, however, as Qinetiq has reportedly been commissioned to put three bots into service during a six month trial period, including a Talon bot that uses thermal imaging to asses the situation, a 2,160-pound Brokk 90 robot that can "tear through walls or shove vehicles out the way," and last but not least the ATV-sized "Black Max" that actually douses the situation. Sadly, it seems that the bots are all remotely-controlled for the time being, and not fully autonomous, but we're sure it's only a matter of time before they really get to show what they're capable of.

[Rob @ Dec 5th 2007 4:48PM]

I, for one, welcome our new Robotic Firefighting overlords

[John @ Dec 5th 2007 7:05PM]

F*ck Yea!

[Drkmstr104 @ Dec 7th 2007 12:19AM]

O_O neee! molester van!!!

[matt.sadewitz @ Dec 5th 2007 5:00PM]

Dating robots just got a whole lot more popular for the ladies.

[raerae @ Dec 5th 2007 5:06PM]

Can it cook too?

[I LOVE THE CAPS LOCK KEY @ Dec 5th 2007 6:51PM]

No, but if you replace the hose with a BFG-9000 it will most certainly play Doom.

[LiqwidZero @ Dec 5th 2007 5:16PM]

Are they spraying at a thermonuclear warhead or a helium tank? Seriously, what is that?

[Matthew Hilario @ Dec 5th 2007 7:23PM]

there's actually a balloon at the top that they cut out,
robot 2 gets a prize, trade in 3 small prizes for 1 medium.
1 game for $3 or 2 for 5$

[Matthew Hilario @ Dec 5th 2007 7:23PM]

there's actually a balloon at the top that they cut out,
robot 2 gets a prize, trade in 3 small prizes for 1 medium.
1 game for $3 or 2 for 5$

[Andrew Pollack @ Dec 5th 2007 5:42PM]

Am I the only one annoyed as hell at calling remotely controlled equipment "robots"? If there's nothing autonomous, its not a robot as far as I'm concerned. I don't say it has to be (or frankly should be) self aware, only that it should be able to take action based on a simple decision tree. If not, its a radio controlled tool, that's all.

[webon @ Dec 5th 2007 7:58PM]

That kind of thinking will only take us closer to doomsday where we'll all succumb to the mighty power of the artificially intelligent robots, and their (non-metallic)ass kicking power!!

[Urza9814 @ Dec 5th 2007 8:04PM]

ro·bot (rō'bŏt', -bət) Pronunciation Key
n.

1. A mechanical device that sometimes resembles a human and is capable of performing a variety of often complex human tasks on command or by being programmed in advance.
2. A machine or device that operates automatically or by remote control.
3. A person who works mechanically without original thought, especially one who responds automatically to the commands of others.

[Panq @ Dec 5th 2007 6:37PM]

For firefighting robots, they don't look particularly fireproof. I should expect more metal, at least.

[Tom @ Dec 5th 2007 8:26PM]

Thermal imaging for asses? God, I'd love to be that robot.

[Naegling @ Dec 6th 2007 1:13AM]

That Black Max is an asshole, he leaves his crap all over the station and refuses to do any house chores... Lazy SOB.

[Alex @ Dec 6th 2007 1:48AM]

These aren't robots

Robot [roh-buht, -bot] -n
1. a machine that resembles a human and does mechanical, routine tasks on command.
2. a person who acts and responds in a mechanical, routine manner, usually subject to another's will; automaton.
3. any machine or mechanical device that operates automatically with humanlike skill.
–adjective
4. operating automatically: a robot train operating between airline terminals.

[Nutsy @ Dec 6th 2007 8:43AM]

Oh Engadget speed up this was on BBC quite a few days ago...

[Digital1 @ Dec 6th 2007 9:05AM]

But can it blend?

[JDUB @ Dec 11th 2007 3:50PM]

way more work that what its worth... only used to fight Acetylene gas fires...wastefull tax payers money....I will declare junk untill the day im resqued Rescued from an Acetylene gas fires.

[Chris @ Dec 7th 2007 8:00PM]

Haha, that might be a while then. It might seem like a waste now but think about it all amazingly new technology is going to start as something resembling a complete wasteof money. In this case it's not what they do now which I'm finding impressive it's the prospect that in the future they could have fully autonomous robots replacing firefighters which run into extremely dangerous building fires, saving people inside while extinguishing the blaze etc. And by the looks of it they're getting there.