Anh-Thu MAI - Essay for English IESE4 Group B - Autonomous firefighting robot

We are no longer strangers to robotics in industry or in life in the high-tech era. Robots came about
as a result of technological development, and since their inception, they have affected various industries
and sectors. The use of robots, however, is still not very widespread globally in an area that involves both
life and property safety, such as firefighting which has long been considered as an area where humans play
a central role. Due to the high technical requirements and the many factors involved, we always wonder if
a autonomous robot can substitute for humans in most firefighting situations?
Artificial intelligence refers to the ability of machines to make decisions and perform duties on
their own as if they were human beings. First of all, it is necessary to clarify the basic structure of an
autonomous firefighting robot to figure out their capabilities and limitations. Firefighting robotics is
designed to perform these two types of tasks: monitoring and extinguishing fires fire localization and
analytics, hazard control, search and rescue. In more detail, an unassuming machine carries a water tank
and a shoebox-sized PC which uses information from onboard sensors to move around without crashing
into obstacles and to efficiently relay the operator's information to navigate. A skinny arm tipped with a
heat-sensing camera, and another camera, e.g., thermal camera, to measure depth, color, and a nozzle,
protrudes above the chassis. These ultra-tech robots can move in places that are not safe for humans and
when it finds one by scanning the walls in search of a heat source, it aims the nozzle and opens up, spraying
water in a grid pattern precisely over the hotspot. Besides, robotics engineers have been recently working
on drones and robots capable of fighting close-range fires.
Secondly, each high-tech invention has its own strengths and weaknesses. The core advantage of
the fire robot is nothing but the ability to withstand harsh environments. As a rule, firefighter is considered
one of the most dangerous occupations in the world and there is always a shortage of manpower. In contrast,
robots can cope well with extreme conditions in many different ways, for instance, some move on rubber
tires, some on tracks, and others fly. These cutting-edge technologies are capable of sneaking into blazing
structures that are too dangerous for human life. They get into smoke-filled rooms where the air is toxic to
human lungs. They are often much faster, more powerful, and more maneuverable than the firefighters with
whom they interact. However, the biggest weakness that needs to be constantly improved in robots is the
flexibility in judgment and decision-making. Indeed, in special situations, often found at the scene of a fire
accident, where both human life and property are at risk of destruction, human flexibility and affection will
be more effectively directed to a reasonable and thoughtful decision.
Finally, one factor to take into consideration is the autonomy of the firefighting robot. Nowadays,
most of the machines in use are controlled remotely, but developers are now working to create "intelligent"
mobile robots that can make their own decisions. Autonomous or not, no one expects robots to replace
humans finally on fire lines. In other words, robots are assistants that can reduce risks for firefighters. In
fact, climate change contributing to 10,000 wildfires worldwide every day, robots can provide some relief
to firefighters who enter burning properties or scramble up steep mountain slopes. Furthermore, the main
challenge these machines face is the reluctance of government agencies to invest in creating devices
specifically designed to meet these various demands.
In conclusion, the firefighter profession, one of the most popular globally, is expecting an influx of
unusual helpers and autonomous robots have been broken through and brought a new breeze that brings
down our concern about the shortage of manpower. Indeed, robotics of firefighting equipment outlines a
brighter future where we can not only save lives and reduce damage effectively but also ensure the safety
of firefighters. However, the robot's independence is still in doubt that it can really replace humans and the
rest is up to proving it with practical inventions and its applicability in the future.