Hyundai Motor Will Develop Unmanned Fire Fighting Robots For Underground Parking

Rendering images of the Hyundai Group unmanned fire fighting robot. (Source: Hyundai Group Motor)

Hyundai Motor Group said on Thursday it plans to develop unmanned fire fighting robots to deal with electric vehicle fires in underground parking lots.

The automotive group said it would partner with the National Fire Department in developing the firefighting robot by the end of the year and use it for real starting in 2026, as quoted by The Korea Times September 26.

Hyundai Motor Group expressed its intention to provide fire extinguishers to the government through the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy in August.

The fire department has proposed developing fire engines using the multipurpose unmanned vehicle platform Hyundai Rotem by equipping them with water cannons and increasing their resistance to heat.

After further discussions and demonstrations of the vehicle platform this month, both sides reached a final agreement to develop the unmanned fire fighting robot together.

The agency plans to use the unmanned fire fighting robot prototype for trial operations in the first half of next year.

Based on input, the agency intends to distribute the latest units to the regional special fire rescue team by the end of 2026.

The robot is expected to allow long-range controlled fire extinguishing, thus providing an effective solution for fires in underground facilities, which are difficult or dangerous for firefighters to enter, the group said.