Since Boston Dynamics introduced the Big Dog in 2004, all robot dogs look like Boston Dynamics models, it makes me wonder if it is technological theft or a simple reproduction of the model; But getting back to the topic, these robot dogs stopped being laboratory curiosities and became real tools in dozens of sectors, especially in security, surveillance, military tests, even in company, in almost all areas they have already appeared, and this is the latest application of these quadrupeds, as firefighters.
Now a new
video from China shows a very useful and interesting use, robot dogs acting as firefighters, Unitree, which has become a world reference in quadruped and humanoid robotics, is developing a specialized version of its B2 model called Fire Rescue, a reinforced platform that transforms the robot into an assistant capable of entering dangerous places, transporting equipment, transmitting video in real time, even throwing water or foam directly against fires.
The images released by the company quickly went viral; the video shows a firefighter connecting a high-pressure hose to the back of the robot. The B2 rises, moves across the overgrown terrain, and positions itself in front of the flames as if trained to do so, then the jet goes off, a strong, steady stream, and the robot remains steady as it begins to extinguish the fire.
The entire operation is controlled remotely, the robot enters the place where the real firefighter would be risking his life, and I think that is the best part, directing this type of technological development to help people in high-risk jobs, not to replace them.
A comment on the video questions whether these robots would really withstand the extreme pressure of the hoses used in the United States, which are designed for very intense fires, especially in tall buildings. I am not a firefighter, but it has been seen that the hoses are held by several firefighters. I imagine that several dogs would be needed to hold the hose in those conditions and be able to hold it. According to Unitree, the Fire Rescue module has a nominal flow rate of 40 L per second, more than double what the New York Fire Department uses in tall buildings, but the The company did not reveal exactly what pressure or flow rate appears in the viral video, leaving questions about scalability and robustness. Still, what the video shows is powerful, a robotic quadruped facing heat, smoke and risk without exposing a single firefighter.
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