Now, Mumbai Fire brigade to get remote operated robot

The Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) will soon be able to get live video footage and exact location of fire inside of a building as the procurement of radio controlled remote operated robot is under process. The unmanned radio frequency operated robot will arrive from China in a month time.

According to a senior official from the MFB, a final visit to China has been made and requisite process has been completed. “The process of buying the robot has been completed and it will arrive soon,” said the official. The robot will look alike a small tanker.

The unmanned radio controlled remote operated robot can reach nearest location of fire and apart from dousing, it can also provide exact location and status of fire that will make job of firemen easy to confine it without wasting time. According to senior official from the MFB, firemen find it difficult moving inside basement of building at a fire site, and they even have to struggle with the smoke.

“In such place, the robot will be helpful that will douse. The robot will also update them on the status of fire with live video of the location even if there is smoke,” said the official.

The robot is fitted with thermic camera of 640*512 that can capture videos and photos during day and night as well. “The company will also train our firemen which will take about one to two days,” said the official. Out of four countries that had given demonstration, namely United States, Germany, China and Israel of which China’s firm was shortlisted.

After procurement of the robot, the BMC will become the first civic body in the country to have such equipment.

Among major feature, the robot can also release 3800 litres water in one minute. “The two engines with 4000 watt capacity can move at 3.5 km inside a fire site and while dousing fire, it will continue to send photographs and video outside that can be seen in a tablet. The video and photo output can be received even around 300 metre away from fire site.

This 500 kg robot can enter in narrow lanes where fire engines find difficult and it is likely to be brought in after monsoon.