Special Unitree B1 robot dog can fight fire

The Chinese robotics company Unitree has converted its four-legged B1 robot dog into a firefighting robot capable of extinguishing fires. The four-legged friend has a modular design and can be equipped with different extinguishing modules –, such as a conventional hose extinguishing system or a module that uses air pressure to blow out fires. The robot can thus relieve the firefighters in dangerous operations.

Unitree uses its four-legged B1 robot as the basis for its robotic firefighting dog. When erected, it is 46.7 cm tall, 112.6 cm long and weighs around 50 kg. The battery keeps it alive for around two hours, provided it does not have to carry any weights. The maximum load is 20 kg if the robot is to walk around. When stationary, it can lift up to 80 kg.

Extinguishing modules for different applications

Unitree uses the payload capabilities for extinguishing modules that are attached to the back of the B1. This includes an extinguishing module that works with water supplied via a hose and from an external extinguishing tank via a pump. The water can be used to fight fires up to a distance of 60 m at a flow rate of 40 l/s. The hose can be swiveled by an electric motor at an angle of 85 degrees to achieve a better extinguishing result. The module also includes a sprinkler system, which is centrally mounted on the back of the robot. This allows the robot dog to keep itself cool in hot environments via escaping water to prevent heat-related failure.

As a second extinguishing module, Unitree offers an air blower that is used for forest fires. High air pressure can be used to extinguish smaller areas, thus interrupting and bringing fires under control, according to Unitree.

However, the B1 cannot detect and extinguish fires on its own. It is remote-controlled. During operation, a swivel-mounted camera sends images to a central platform that monitors the robot and also displays sensor data about the robot's surroundings. This means that the robotic firefighting dog can be sent ahead of dangerous extinguishing operations, for example, to explore the surroundings and, if necessary, carry out initial extinguishing work before firefighters have to be deployed and put themselves in danger.

The running characteristics of the B1 firefighting variant are better. Unitree claims to have improved them by 170 percent compared to the standard version of the B1. The firefighting robot can overcome obstacles of up to 40 cm and stairs with a gradient of up to 45 degrees. Unitree has also revised the battery system. The battery can be easily replaced during operation.

Interested fire departments can already purchase the Unitree firefighting dog. However, Unitree has not publicly announced a price. The standard version of the B1 is available for 100,000 US dollars.

(olb)