Six advanced robots are assisting firefighters in combating extreme heat and large warehouse fires.
In Sharjah, the Sharjah Civil Defence Authority has deployed advanced firefighting robots to handle high-risk industrial fires, enhancing emergency response capabilities while improving firefighter safety in hazardous environments.
Brigadier Yousef Obaid Harmoul Al Shamsi, Director General of the authority, said the adoption of this technology reflects leadership’s focus on prioritising human safety in civil defence operations while equipping firefighters with advanced tools to reduce on-ground risks and improve efficiency during complex emergencies.
“We currently have six robots mainly deployed for warehouse and industrial fire incidents,” said Brigadier Al Shamsi.
He added that the robots are used in areas deemed too dangerous or inaccessible for firefighters, especially during situations involving extreme heat, unstable structures, or hazardous materials.
“The robots can withstand much higher temperatures and access areas that firefighters cannot safely reach,” he said. “They enter the site and directly tackle the fire while our teams remotely guide and control them from outside using a control device. This helps protect firefighters from risks such as collapsing roofs, structural instability, and extreme heat.”
The robotic units, known as “FFBOT”, are equipped with advanced firefighting and reconnaissance systems designed for rapid response in industrial zones and warehouse fire incidents.
The robots are capable of discharging water and foam at a flow rate of up to 8,000 litres per minute, with a reach of 100 metres and a vertical height of up to 50 metres.
They are operated wirelessly from distances of up to 1,000 metres and are equipped with GPS-assisted navigation systems along with four hose inlets for enhanced firefighting capability.
Each unit is equipped with six smart cameras covering all four directions, enabling commanders to remotely monitor conditions from the core of the incident without entering the fire zone. Additional features include thermal sensors, heavy-duty lighting for smoke-filled environments, audible sirens, and cooling sprinklers designed to protect the robot under extreme heat.
The machines are also capable of climbing stairways at angles of up to 30 degrees and feature reinforced front bumpers that allow them to push through obstacles and quickly reach fire-affected areas.
Officials said the robots are deployed during the most hazardous phases of industrial fires, particularly in environments involving chemical hazards, unstable structures, and temperatures exceeding 500°C.
Under Sharjah’s emergency response strategy, these robotic units are dispatched alongside firefighters immediately after an alarm is raised, conducting initial suppression and reconnaissance before human teams enter under safer conditions.
Authorities said the introduction of robotic systems has significantly improved operational readiness, reduced fire suppression time in industrial incidents, and strengthened technology-led emergency response capabilities across the emirate of Sharjah.
