China Deploys Firefighting Robot Dogs with 60-Metre Water Cannons and Real-Time Video Streaming

China is advancing its emergency response capabilities with the deployment of firefighting robot dogs equipped with high-powered water cannons and real-time video streaming technology.

Credit: UNITREE

Developed by Chinese robotics firm Unitree, the quadruped fire rescue robots are designed for hazardous environments and complex rescue missions. The robots feature modular designs, advanced mobility, and a drencher cooling system that allows them to operate in dusty and high-temperature conditions.

Each robot is equipped with a water cannon capable of shooting water or foam up to 60 metres, with a flow rate of 40 litres per second. The cannon can be adjusted between 5° and 85° for targeted firefighting.

The robots also include a self-dewatering belt that completes drainage in one second, enabling rapid deployment. A quick-swap, waterproof battery system ensures continuous operation during extended missions.

For situational awareness, the robots stream live video to a visualisation platform, allowing remote teams to recreate the on-site environment and make faster, safer decisions.

A specialised air blower variant is designed for forest firefighting, using high-speed airflow to suppress flames and reduce risk to human crews.

In February, a four-legged robot dog developed by Hangzhou-based DEEP Robotics was deployed in fire rescue operations in Hunan Province.

China’s Qingdao Firefighting and Rescue Support Team has officially introduced two Unitree quadruped robots to enhance its emergency response capabilities.

During a recent emergency exercise focused on forest fire prevention, the robots played key roles in inspection, fire-source detection, and post-disaster surveillance.

In another live-fire drill simulating an underground store blaze, a reconnaissance robot dog accessed the scene via an internal elevator and conducted multi-level environmental reconnaissance.

Unitree stated that these robots significantly improve operational efficiency and safety in complex rescue scenarios.

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• Unitree’s firefighting robots shoot water or foam up to 60 metres

• Robots stream live video to aid remote rescue decision-making

• Qingdao Firefighting Team deploys two quadruped robots

Source: INTERESTING ENGOINEERING