WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University and its fire department are testing a new robot that would allow firefighters to examine a fire without entering the building.
WLFI reported that the Purdue (Ind.) Fire Department is working with the Purdue’s Polytechnic Institute on a new indestructible robot that firefighters could throw into a window and manually control.
Fire officials said the robots are best used when checking a room for dangerous chemicals or hot spots. The camera, which has a record feature, allows investigators to look back on footage for more information. Purdue students are then able to take the information from the fire situations and use it to further their research and development.
Capt. Kent Sales said the idea is to get information quickly without putting firefighters in danger.
“If I don’t have to put a firefighter in a building that I think may collapse or right up next to a burning gasoline tanker, I won’t,” Capt. Sales said. “I’ve got the technology to help us deal with those situations.”
Capt. Sales said eventually the robots’ technology could do more than just keep firefighters safe.
“Eventually, they’ll probably have something for rescue. But right now, we’re not there,” he said. “With the information we’ve been giving them, they’ll be able to get smaller, more powerful, more agile, pieces of equipment that we can use. I mean, who knows what the future holds.”
Fire Chief Kevin Ply said he hopes the robots end up saving lives in departments all over the country.