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13 October 2023
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Technology: How a student invented an affordable firefighting robot
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FireBot is a high-temperature resistant and wirelessly controlled robot that can assist firefighters in search and rescue operations. Firefighters have one of the most dangerous and heroic jobs in the world. They risk their lives every day to save people from burning buildings, often without knowing what they will face inside. But what if there was a way to make their job safer and easier?
FireBot
That’s what Siddarth Thakur, an entrepreneur, had in mind when he created FireBot, a high-temperature resistant and wirelessly controlled robot that can assist firefighters in search and rescue operations. FireBot can enter burning buildings and look for human life while also assessing the scene and identifying potential hazards. This way, firefighters can make informed decisions before entering a fire.
FireBot is not the first robot designed for firefighting, but it is certainly one of the most affordable and innovative ones. Unlike the Thermite RS3, which costs around $300 000, FireBot will be priced at $90 000 and will be available for purchase or lease through a Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS) model. FireBot will also have a lifespan of 10 years, making it a cost-effective solution.
FireBot is made from special alloys, installation materials, and cooling technologies that provide high-temperature and flame resistance. It can withstand temperatures up to 1 832°F (1 000°C) and flames up to 10 feet (three metres) high. It can be remotely controlled by firefighters using a tablet or a smartphone, allowing them to navigate the complex and unpredictable environment of a burning building.
FireBot is the result of four years of hard work and dedication by Siddarth Thakur, an electrical and computer engineering student at the University of Texas at Austin. Thakur was inspired by the tragic death of Stanley Wilson, a firefighter who lost his life in a fire at a Dallas condominium complex in 2013. Thakur learned that firefighters often have to enter burning buildings without knowing what they will face inside and that there is a lack of technological tools available to help them.
Thakur decided to create a solution that could help firefighters search for human life without putting their own lives at risk. He started working on FireBot as a high school student in Houston, where he joined the Advanced Manufacturing Center at Houston Community College. There, he met his mentor, Dr Ritu Raju, who guided him through the process of designing, prototyping, and testing his robot.
He founded Paradigm Robotics and started developing FireBot with the help of his team. Paradigm Robotics is currently seeking funding to further develop and enhance the FireBot technology. Thakur emphasizes the importance of continuous research and development, expanding the team, and gathering feedback from firefighters to improve the robot’s capabilities.
Thakur hopes that his robot will revolutionize firefighting tactics and improve the safety of firefighters. He says his ultimate goal is to save lives by providing a safer alternative to search and rescue operations during structural fires. FireBot is a remarkable example of how technology can be used for good.
Source: Interesting Engineering
FireBot
That’s what Siddarth Thakur, an entrepreneur, had in mind when he created FireBot, a high-temperature resistant and wirelessly controlled robot that can assist firefighters in search and rescue operations. FireBot can enter burning buildings and look for human life while also assessing the scene and identifying potential hazards. This way, firefighters can make informed decisions before entering a fire.
FireBot is not the first robot designed for firefighting, but it is certainly one of the most affordable and innovative ones. Unlike the Thermite RS3, which costs around $300 000, FireBot will be priced at $90 000 and will be available for purchase or lease through a Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS) model. FireBot will also have a lifespan of 10 years, making it a cost-effective solution.
FireBot is made from special alloys, installation materials, and cooling technologies that provide high-temperature and flame resistance. It can withstand temperatures up to 1 832°F (1 000°C) and flames up to 10 feet (three metres) high. It can be remotely controlled by firefighters using a tablet or a smartphone, allowing them to navigate the complex and unpredictable environment of a burning building.
FireBot is the result of four years of hard work and dedication by Siddarth Thakur, an electrical and computer engineering student at the University of Texas at Austin. Thakur was inspired by the tragic death of Stanley Wilson, a firefighter who lost his life in a fire at a Dallas condominium complex in 2013. Thakur learned that firefighters often have to enter burning buildings without knowing what they will face inside and that there is a lack of technological tools available to help them.
Thakur decided to create a solution that could help firefighters search for human life without putting their own lives at risk. He started working on FireBot as a high school student in Houston, where he joined the Advanced Manufacturing Center at Houston Community College. There, he met his mentor, Dr Ritu Raju, who guided him through the process of designing, prototyping, and testing his robot.
He founded Paradigm Robotics and started developing FireBot with the help of his team. Paradigm Robotics is currently seeking funding to further develop and enhance the FireBot technology. Thakur emphasizes the importance of continuous research and development, expanding the team, and gathering feedback from firefighters to improve the robot’s capabilities.
Thakur hopes that his robot will revolutionize firefighting tactics and improve the safety of firefighters. He says his ultimate goal is to save lives by providing a safer alternative to search and rescue operations during structural fires. FireBot is a remarkable example of how technology can be used for good.
Source: Interesting Engineering