Hyundai Motor donates unmanned firefighting robots to fire agency

▲ An unmanned firefighting robot demonstrates its operational capabilities at a donation ceremony in Namyangju, east of Seoul, organized by Hyundai Motor Group for the delivery of four units to the National Fire Agency. (Yonhap)
▲ Kim Seung-ryong (L), acting commissioner of the National Fire Agency, shakes hands with Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung at a donation ceremony in Namyangju, east of Seoul, for the group's delivery of four firefighting robot units to the agency. (Yonhap)

Hyundai Motor-firefighting robots

Hyundai Motor donates unmanned firefighting robots to fire agency

SEOUL, Feb. 25 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Motor Group said Wednesday it has donated four units of an unmanned firefighting robot to the National Fire Agency (NFA), pledging to expand the program to 100 units in the future.

A donation ceremony was held Tuesday at a fire station in Namyangju, about 25 kilometers east of Seoul, attended by Euisun Chung, the group's executive chair, Hyundai Motor Co. President Sung Kim and Hyundai Rotem Co. President Lee Yong-bae.

The robot was jointly developed by Hyundai Motor and the NFA, based on Hyundai Rotem's HR-Sherpa electric multipurpose vehicle. It features water-resistant coverings, an integrated spraying system, visibility-enhancing cameras and remote control functionalities.

Of the four robots donated, two have already been deployed to fire units in the capital region. The remaining two will be assigned early next month to fire stations in southern Gyeonggi Province and South Chungcheong Province.

Chung said the robot embodies Hyundai's goal of developing technology that saves lives, adding he hopes they will serve as reliable teammates that can be deployed ahead of firefighters in hazardous conditions.

According to the NFA, a total of 1,802 firefighters have been injured or killed in fires over the past decade.

Hyundai Motor Group said it expects the robots to help minimize firefighters' exposure to danger and contribute to safer firefighting and rescue systems.

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