The Los Angeles Fire Department recently unveiled this compact robotic firefighting vehicle.
The Thermite RS3, the first robotic firefighting vehicle in the United States, was manufactured by Howe & Howe Inc., a subsidiary of Textron Systems Corporation. It was purchased by the LAFD Foundation, a non-profit organization supporting the department for $278,000 and donated to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
The robot is remotely operated with a controller that provides high-definition video feedback for “ultimate maneuverability in difficult conditions,” according to the LAFD.
The 3,500 pound robot can run for 20 hours without refueling and features a front plow blade to push debris, including vehicles. The frontal nozzle can shoot or spray either water or foam at 2,500 gallons per minute, with a stream that can reach high as 150 feet high or 300 feet across, according to the LAFD.
Check out the two videos
This is what the @LAFD calls the first robotic firefighting device in the country. We’ll show and tell you how their “Thermite RS3” works and what it can do. #KCAL9 4pm @CBSLA #CBSLA pic.twitter.com/9WYWHFvPRc
— Rachel Kim (@CBSLARachel) October 13, 2020
Yesterday I saw firsthand the latest in robotic firefighting technology and it was very impressive! Check out the video ⬇️ Your @LAFD leads the way! pic.twitter.com/4wnp2JtRCX
— Chief Terrazas (@LAFDChief) January 17, 2020
