NY Daily News
WASHINGTON β Firefighters may be the next to get replaced by robots.
The U.S. Navy unveiled its latest robot named SAFFiR, which is a 5-foot-10 two-legged robot that can see through dense smoke and carry a hose on its own. The 143-pound robot, sponsored by the Office of Naval Research, was presented at the Naval Future Force Science & Technology EXPO on Feb. 4.
βWe set out to build and demonstrate a humanoid capable of mobility aboard a ship, manipulating doors and dire hoses, and equipped with sensors to see and navigate through smoke,β said Thomas McKenna, program officer at the office of Naval Research, in a statement. βThe long-term goal is to keep sailors from the direct exposure of fire.β
Full story: U.S. Navy unveils new firefighting robot prototype