BLACKSBURG, Va. — Developers say a “Star Wars” robot designed to fight naval fires is set to be tested next year.
The Navy is developing a version of the famed C-3PO from “Star Wars” to fight ship and boat fires, according to the Washington Post.
Named ASH (Autonomous Shipboard Humanoid), developers say it will hopefully be able to walk in any direction without losing balance and navigate narrow spaces and ladders. ASH will also be outfitted with cameras and sensors allowing it to see through smoke. It will be equipped with PEAT grenades and have the ability to use fire hoses and extinguishers.
Virginia Tech Professor Dennis Hong helped develop ASH’s previous model, CHARLi-1 and said that although ASH is going to be tested next year, it is not near completion.
“It still needs a lot of things done, such as protection against heat and flames … sensors, navigation, firefighting behaviors,” Hong told the Washington Post.
The developers are also working on algorithms for ASH that will allow it to work cohesively with its human counterparts, according to a press release.
ASH will be battery operated and should be last for half an hour.