A robot named "Colossus" played a key role in helping save the lives of firefighters at the recent Notre Dame blaze, according to The Independent. When the commander of the Paris fire brigade told his firefighters to retreat because the building's temperatures had grown too high, he instead enlisted the help of a 1,100 pound tank-like robot with the ability to venture into places and conditions that would quickly kill a human being.
The robot utilizes a water cannon capable of firing more than 660 gallons per minute, which it sprayed at the walls of the cathedral in the midst of the blaze.
Gabriel Plus, a spokesman for the Paris fire brigade said: “Time was against us, the wind was against us and we had to get the upper hand. The priority we set was to save the two belfries. Imagine if the timber of the belfries had been weakened and the bells had collapsed. That was really our fear. In the beginning, it was not impossible to imagine that the cathedral structure could collapse.”
And the machine's role in fighting the fire may be the cornerstone of welcoming in an era of robotic firefighting. Over the last 10 years, different countries and organizations have started to develop similar types of machines that can fight fires. They aim to not only help gather information using cameras and various sensors, but to keep firefighters safe.
The "Colossus" robot is deployed with the Paris Firefighter Brigade and other with many other French or foreign Regional Services of Fires & Rescues. And the robot in Paris isn’t the only of its kind in action. China has also utilized firefighting robots in drills and Howe and Howe Technologies, a company that specializes in military robots, has developed several additional firefighting robots that are designed for industrial environments using foam or water.
Lockheed Martin also has a robotic fire truck called "Fire Ox" that can be controlled using something similar to a video game controller. It was first designed to fight structure fires or wildfires. On top of that, the Navy has also begun experimenting with a nearly 6 foot humanoid robot that can help it fight fires. The machine, described as "terminator-like" is designed to throw propelled extinguishing agent grenades and handle a firehose.
The company that manufactures the robot did not reveal its price tag. "Colossus" is 2.5 feet wide, 5.25 feet long, can carry 1200 pounds and be operated from almost 1000 feet away. It is controlled using a joystick and the machine is waterproof, fireproof and can withstand thermal radiation. It can even go up stairs. The machine is powered with lithium ion batteries that can last up to eight hours and robots can also be equipped to use cameras, sensors and fans.
Brian Lattimer, the vice president of research and development at the safety engineering and consulting firm Jensen Hughes, said that the appeal of these robots goes beyond just operating in dangerous environments. He commented: “The goal will be for firefighters to be in the loop with these robots to assist and evaluate the hazards so they can plan an effective response. Eventually, we’ll have collaborative teams of robots – in the air and on the ground – that will work closely with people and reduce the risk to human life.”
And speaking of saving human life, "Colossus" sure would come in handy the next time a Tesla catches fire, especially if it is eventually put out, only to reignite or "spontaneously combust" a second and then third time.
Readers can see additional footage of firefighters battling the blaze at Notre Dame here.
President Donald Trump continued tweeting on the Mueller report this morning, blasting Robert Mueller and his team even as he continued to tout “No Collusion, No Obstruction!”
The president said it was “written as nastily as possible” by “true Trump Haters”:
Despite the fact that the Mueller Report should not have been authorized in the first place & was written as nastily as possible by 13 (18) Angry Democrats who were true Trump Haters, including highly conflicted Bob Mueller himself, the end result is No Collusion, No Obstruction!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 20, 2019
He also bashed the “Fake News Media” for trying to “stir up and anger” people with selective coverage:
The Fake News Media is doing everything possible to stir up and anger the pols and as many people as possible seldom mentioning the fact that the Mueller Report had as its principle conclusion the fact that there was NO COLLUSION WITH RUSSIA. The Russia Hoax is dead!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 20, 2019
And he again celebrated the end of the “Witch Hunt” after touting how well the economy’s doing:
United States weekly jobless claims just hit a 50 year low. The economy is doing GREAT!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 20, 2019
The end result of the greatest Witch Hunt in U.S. political history is No Collusion with Russia (and No Obstruction). Pretty Amazing!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 20, 2019
[photo via Getty Images]
Sen. Elizabeth Warren became the first major Democratic 2020 presidential candidate to call for impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump
NEW YORK POST: Police in Northern Ireland on Saturday arrested two teenagers in connection with the fatal shooting of a journalist during [READ MORE]
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