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Bomb detonation robots to become firefighters in London
Mark Prigg, Science and Technology Correspondent28.07.09
Bomb detonation robots used in Afghanistan are to be recycled to extinguish fires in London.
Three battle-tested robots go into service today and will be made available to fire crews across the capital.
Instead of having tools to remotely detonate bombs and landmines, the London robo-firefighters contain high pressure hoses and thermal imaging cameras.
The robots are designed to tackle blazes too dangerous for fire crews - in particular those involving gas. "We want to be able to go anywhere too dangerous to send a human," said Simon Christoforato of QinetiQ, the company operating the service. It has supplied more than 2,500 to British and American government agencies.
The robots are operated by remote control, and the firm claims it can get them anywhere within the M25 in three hours. "In the future we hope more could be available, as we think firefighters find them incredibly useful," added Mr Christoforato.
The three robots are the Talon, a small, manoeuvrable machine with thermal image cameras; the Black Max, which is similar to a quad bike and has a high-pressure hose; and the Brokk 90, which is a heavy-duty digger that removes debris.
The project has been funded by Network Rail, the Highways Agency, Transport for London and London Fire Brigade.
