Firefighting robots donated to Korea National Fire Agency
Hyundai Motor Group has donated four unmanned firefighting robots to South Korea’s Korea National Fire Agency (KNFA) to support fire suppression in high-risk environments.
The Group confirmed that a donation ceremony took place on 24 February at the National 119 Rescue Headquarters in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province.
Two firefighting robots have already been deployed to 119 Special Rescue Units in the Capital and Yeongnam regions and are in use during live fire operations.
Two additional units will be delivered to the Gyeonggi Provincial Fire Headquarters in Hwaseong and the Chungnam Provincial Fire Headquarters.
Euisun Chung, Executive Chair of Hyundai Motor Group, said: “Firefighters who rush into danger without hesitation to save lives remind us of the values our society must uphold.
“In partnership with the Korea National Fire Agency, we developed the Unmanned Firefighting Robot to help realize the very value of ‘safety’ that firefighters have long protected.
“The Unmanned Firefighting Robots that we are donating embody Hyundai Motor Group’s core technologies and represent a new form of mobility built on our shared goal of ‘technology that saves lives.’
“We hope they will serve as reliable teammates, entering dangerous scenes ahead of others to safeguard the firefighters’ safety.
“When the National Fire Hospital opens this June, we will support firefighters’ swift recovery by donating vehicles and rehabilitation equipment.
“Hyundai Motor Group will continue to provide the technologies and support needed to ensure that firefighters can carry out their missions in a safer environment.”
Seung-ryong Kim, Acting Commissioner of the Korea National Fire Agency, said: “This initiative marks the first step in a paradigm shift that will redefine disaster response.
“We will continue to actively introduce advanced technology to the field through innovative collaboration with the private sector, including Hyundai Motor Group, a global mobility leader.”
Robot design and operational capabilities
Hyundai Motor Group developed the unmanned firefighting robot in collaboration with the KNFA based on Hyundai Rotem’s electrified multi-purpose unmanned vehicle, the HR-Sherpa.
The robot is equipped with a front-mounted water cannon capable of delivering both direct and spray-type water streams to address different fire conditions.
A self-spraying cooling system creates a protective water curtain around the vehicle, enabling it to maintain an internal temperature of 50 to 60°C when exposed to external temperatures reaching 800°C.
An infrared camera supports object detection through smoke and flames and helps identify fire origins and individuals requiring rescue.
Operators receive real-time video via a wireless connection, enabling remote control of driving and firefighting functions.
The vehicle uses high-temperature-resistant tyres and a six-wheel independent drive in-wheel motor system to support mobility across debris and uneven terrain.