Scotland's Fire Service Trials Robotic Firefighter
A £150,000 remote-controlled robot is being evaluated for its ability to tackle large-scale blazes and reduce risks to human firefighters.
Scotland's Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is currently evaluating a pioneering robotic firefighter, a remotely operated vehicle capable of projecting significant water volumes at dangerous fires from a distance. The £150,000 machine, on loan to SFRS for six months, aims to reduce the exposure of human firefighters to hazardous conditions such as intense heat, flames, and smoke.
The robot, built by firefighting equipment specialist Rosenbauer, operates on caterpillar tracks and can pump nearly 800 gallons of water per minute from up to 80 yards away. It is controlled wirelessly from a console up to 300 yards away, with sensors designed to detect obstacles and avoid running over potential casualties. Real-time video and thermal camera feeds relay information on the fire and its temperature back to the operator and an incident control center.
This robot has already been deployed at several incidents. Its first use was at a major fire at a recycling center in Linlithgow, West Lothian, where it directed water into the heart of the blaze. Shortly after, it was dispatched to a fire at an industrial estate near Perth and later to a scrap yard fire in Glasgow.
Group Commander Mike Henderson stated that while the robot will not replace human firefighters, its purpose is to remove them from high-risk areas. He noted that the SFRS is conducting trials to fully understand the robot's capabilities, operational benefits, and limitations to determine if it would be a valuable and cost-effective addition to the service.
Henderson also indicated that such robots are generally not intended for use in domestic dwellings. Their deployment is considered more appropriate for large-scale fires, hazardous materials incidents, or wildfires in open environments like industrial sites or rural areas.
The introduction of such technology could potentially mitigate risks faced by firefighters, a profession that has seen line-of-duty deaths. Historically, incidents like the 2009 death of firefighter Ewan Williamson at a blaze in Edinburgh and the 2023 death of Barry Martin at a former department store fire highlight the dangers firefighters confront.
If the operational trials prove successful, SFRS may consider introducing more of these robotic units across Scotland.