Australia’s First Fire-Fighting Robot Exposed

A fire-fighting robot that can turn away obstacles and clear smoke from burning buildings is the latest tool being used to fight fires in Australia’s New South Wales (NSW) state.

NSW Emergency Services Minister David Elliot and Fire and  Defence Commissioner Greg Mullins exposed the country’s first remote-controlled firefighting robot, the Turbine Aided Firefighting machine (TAF 20) on Thursday.

The TAF 20 has bulldozer blades competent of moving cars out of the way and a high-powered fan to blow away smoke.

It can also spray water mist or foam from 60 metres and blast water for 90 metres.

The robot will be founded at Alexandria in inner Sydney and can be quickly open by road or air to where it is expected, Commissioner Mullins said.

It can be distantly operated up to 500 metres away and sent into condition where it is too dangerous for firefighters, which is a huge benefit as the safety of firefighters is my highest priority.

The robot costs 310,000 Australian dollars (about $226,248) and was made and imported from Germany.

There is still one in use in Germany and one in Mexico.

It was put to the test previous week at a Botany factory fire in Sydney, where Elliot said it proved its Impact.

It will be of  exalted use for our firefighters in battling other large and complex fires, including bushfires.