Design Summary Reader Response Draft #2

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 Little’s (2021) article “Firefighting Robot Go Autonomous” informs the public about the research on using autonomous firefighting robots in the future. With more than 350,000 American homes burning yearly and climate change contributing to 10,000 active daily wildfires worldwide. These firefighting robots can offer to help reduce the risk of the firefighters as they can perform higher-risk tasks for humans as these robots are often, more robust and agile (Little,2021). Little (2021) added the researchers are looking into “developing “intelligent” firefighting robots that can make decisions autonomously”. Little (2021) reported a firefighting robot named Robotics Systems 3 (SR3) has shown its capabilities and is now being used by the Los Angeles City Fire Department (LAFD). LAFD Assistant Chief stated, "has met some of these real-world mobility challenges and proved useful by dragging hose lines up steep hills and even pulling horses out of mud quagmires."(Little,2021, para 7) However these robot is unable to work on its own and require the firefighter input. Although these robots are unable to replace firefighters, these RS3 can provide support to the firefighter more efficiently and safely with its features to reduce the risks to the firefighters.

The first feature of the RS3 that provides aid to assistance to the firefighter will be the nozzle. A nozzle provides the proper reach to access the fire and enables a firefighter to create the proper reach and angle while spraying the fire. (IDEX Fire&Safety n.d.) The RS3 nozzle can discharge 2,500 gallons of water or foam per minute equivalent to about eight firefighters (GNC, 2020). The nozzle can blast water at 10 times the rate of a conventional fire hose (Little,2021) Therefore, it will help the firefighter control and mitigate the fire to reduce the risk to the firefighters.

Another feature of the RS3, it can maneuver along different terrains and clear its path. The RS3 has worked with firefighters in buildings with collapsing roofs where is a place that the fire department could potentially lose a human life (Little,2021). The RS3 low center of gravity allows it to climb over rough terrain, push vehicles away from its path, and winch up to 8,000 pounds. (GNC, 2020) Hence, the robot can get into dangerous terrain or building to clear the paths for the firefighter to enter with minimal obstruction.

Despite the advantages of the RS3 to assist in firefighting operations, the RS3 has its limitations. The RS3 is immobile as it cannot operate on its own. The people running the RS3 are processing all the information and making a decision based on input. White says "It will never replace firefighters". (Little 2021) Thus, making it a handicap rather than an asset.  

In conclusion, these firefighting robot is beneficial to firefighter because the robot will provide them with firefighting support especially when human life is at risk. This robot allows humans to decide which strategy will be the most effective without risking their lives (Litte 2021) Therefore, these robots will reduce the risk to the firefighters.

References

FireFighting robot joins LA force (December 15, 2021). Government Computer News

https://gcn.com/emerging-tech/2020/10/firefighting-robot-joins-la-force/315709/


IDEX Fire & Safety (n.d.) Why the Properly Maintaining Handline Nozzles Is Critical.

https://www.idexfiresafety.com/nozzles/why-properly-maintaining-handline-nozzles-is-critical/


Little, J.B. (October 2021) Firefighting Robots Go Autonomous. Scientific American

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/firefighting-robots-go-autonomous/


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