Researchers in Japan have developed an innovative firefighting system designed to operate without emitting flames. Instead of breathing fire, this device releases powerful jets of water from above, aiming to suppress and extinguish fires from a safer distance.
The project, named the Dragon Firefighter, was described in Frontiers in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence by teams from Osaka University and Tohoku University. The prototype blends robotics with water-based suppression to reach flames from the air and from elevated positions.
At its core, the system features a four-meter-long hose that is remotely controlled and can rise into the air using a flying head. It manages the rate at which water is discharged to optimize extinguishing effectiveness while reducing risk to human crews on the ground.
Imagining a flying dragon that uses water blasts instead of fire to quell flames helps illustrate the concept. The device is intended to assist in dangerous environments where approaching the fire endangers people on the scene.
The lifting force is generated by eight controllable water jets located at the center and head, allowing the tornado-like assembly to rise about two meters above ground level. It can morph its shape and direct water toward the flames, guided by a control unit that can be operated remotely and linked to a fire truck with a large water tank. This setup enables rapid deployment without forcing firefighters into the immediate danger zone.
Water is expelled through nozzles at a rate of approximately 6.6 liters per second. The end of the hose carries both a conventional camera and a thermal imaging camera, aiding in locating the fire and ensuring the safety of personnel who do not need to approach the flames directly.
The Dragon Firefighter first demonstrated its capabilities at the opening ceremony of a global robotics summit in Fukushima in September 2021. During the event, it successfully extinguished a ceremonial flame created by moving fireballs from a distance of around four meters. The demonstration underscored the potential for further development toward industrial-scale use.
Prototype parts and assembly details were showcased during the event, illustrating the current status of the design and the components involved in its operation.
As of the current assessment, the Dragon Firefighter remains a prototype. Researchers estimate that it may take roughly another decade before the robot could be employed in real firefighting scenarios on a broader scale. A key challenge will be extending the operational range beyond ten meters to maximize effectiveness in larger or more remote fire situations.
The developers note that the project’s documentation is published under an open-science policy, inviting expertise from around the world to study and adapt the plans to create their own firefighting robots for public benefit. This openness aims to accelerate the evolution of fire suppression technology while maintaining safety standards for responders.
Reference work: Frontiers in Robotics and AI reported on Dragon Firefighter, with details published in late 2023. The publication highlights the collaborative effort between Osaka University and Tohoku University and frames the project within a broader push toward advanced, water-based firefighting robotics.
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