Navy Develops New Firefighting Robot-Completely Automatic

[RES24CUE 168]

The Navy’s new humanoid robots can detect fires on a ship, withstand extreme heat up to 500 degrees, and fight the fire shoulder to shoulder with human firefighters.

Designed to fight shipboard fires at sea, the Shipboard Autonomous Firefighting Robot, known as SAFFiR, is a human-sized robot. Under direction and funding from the Office of Naval Research, Naval Research Laboratory researchers have been working with university researchers to develop the tech.

SAFFiR is meant to move autonomously throughout a ship, learn its layout and patrol for structural problems. The robot will be able to interact with the sailors onboard, and take on many of their dangerous firefighting tasks.

See link below:

http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2014/03/27/robots-join-navy-to-fight-fires-at-sea/?intcmp=features

[Dinosaur 844]

I wonder what the cost is for each robot and what the total cost of development was. With the exception of being able to withstand the high heat, I doubt there's much of a cost benefit compared to us lowly 20th century versions.

[FFPCogs 863]

I wonder what the cost is for each robot and what the total cost of development was. With the exception of being able to withstand the high heat, I doubt there's much of a cost benefit compared to us lowly 20th century versions.

While a long way off it seems,as the technology progresses I think there are a number of differences that would make the bean counters drool. Cost plus maintenance per unit as opposed to salaries, overtime, sick days, medical insurance and pensions per FF. They'll only need a 1/4 of the workforce. 24/7 coverage by one crew of robotics, not four crews of people with their egos, arguments and disciplinary problems. Tell it what to do and it does it, a boss' dream. A guy just starting out today may just have a few T2000s on his engine backing him up before he's done. Thankfully I'll be long out of the game by the time R2D2 and his pals are riding my rigs.

[RES24CUE 168]

I wonder what the cost is for each robot and what the total cost of development was. With the exception of being able to withstand the high heat, I doubt there's much of a cost benefit compared to us lowly 20th century versions.

Cost vs. Value!

I think that we can all agree the monetary cost of development, production, and maintenance is less than the value of the life of 1 Firefighter...

After all, work smart not hard!!!

[Dinosaur 844]

Cost vs. Value!

I think that we can all agree the monetary cost of development, production, and maintenance is less than the value of the life of 1 Firefighter...

After all, work smart not hard!!!

If that were true there would be a lot more robots doing a lot more jobs than humans. The issue has never been the value of the life of a cop or firefighter. The issue has always been, and continues to be the cost!

[Jybehofd 85]

you need to remember a robot can go into alot more nasty stuff then a human can. this would be cool to test in japan and the reactors i am sure there is some work that can be done there on something. the navy and other branches of the military do things that well can be interesting at times and they also go to the other end of the extreme. Ive seen a ammunition ground transport with a full fire department escort and heavily guard escort to deliver a box of phosphorus 12ga flares to a ship. a little it bit over the top but they had something go horribly wrong at that base once so i can't blame them.

[velcroMedic1987 330]

you need to remember a robot can go into alot more nasty stuff then a human can. this would be cool to test in japan and the reactors i am sure there is some work that can be done there on something. the navy and other branches of the military do things that well can be interesting at times and they also go to the other end of the extreme. Ive seen a ammunition ground transport with a full fire department escort and heavily guard escort to deliver a box of phosphorus 12ga flares to a ship. a little it bit over the top but they had something go horribly wrong at that base once so i can't blame them.

The nuclear industry has a lot more $$$$$ than a fire department. I can't see this catching on in too many places.

[FFPCogs 863]

The nuclear industry has a lot more $$$$$ than a fire department. I can't see this catching on in too many places.

You're right to the extent that in 2014 very few FDs or municipalities have the money to invest in the development of robotic firefighters. But remember, when the technologies first became available for things like cell phones and computers or TIC's' and SCBA it was the military that spearheaded the research and development of them as they too were thought to be "too expensive" to be practical for widespread use....and now just a scant 30 or so years later they are the norm. Same for manufacturing, how many assembly lines once staffed by people are now automated? Ultimately it all depends on if there's a market for such a system, and I would say that within a relatively short time that market will develop and flourish as politicians and the safety zealots realize that robotic FFs offer them a host of cost and operational "benefits" over humans. Add to that a fire service increasingly populated by generations weened on technology and quite comfortable with it, if not dependent on it, and it's a safe bet that there will even be a drive within our own ranks to place automatons into service. Looking into my crystal ball I see a not too distant future where robots are commonplace in many FDs, there to do the jobs deemed "too dangerous" for humans....like enter burning buildings.... .

Edited April 3, 2014 by FFPCogs

[velcroMedic1987 330]

You're right to the extent that in 2014 very few FDs or municipalities have the money to invest in the development of robotic firefighters. But remember, when the technologies first became available for things like cell phones and computers or TIC's' and SCBA it was the military that spearheaded the research and development of them as they too were thought to be "too expensive" to be practical for widespread use....and now just a scant 30 or so years later they are the norm. Same for manufacturing, how many assembly lines once staffed by people are now automated? Ultimately it all depends on if there's a market for such a system, and I would say that within a relatively short time that market will develop and flourish as politicians and the safety zealots realize that robotic FFs offer them a host of cost and operational "benefits" over humans. Add to that a fire service increasingly populated by generations weened on technology and quite comfortable with it, if not dependent on it, and it's a safe bet that there will even be a drive within our own ranks to place automatons into service. Looking into my crystal ball I see a not too distant future where robots are commonplace in many FDs, there to do the jobs deemed "too dangerous" for humans....like enter burning buildings.... .

You're right about the growth of technology being spurred on by military research and applications. You may even be right about your crystal ball.

However it will probably take 5 employees, 2 engineers, 1 computer specialist and two or three vehicles to mobilize every robotic FF so while it may be safer than humans, it will never cost less.