SCDF looking
at use of robotics to enhance operational
capabilities
SINGAPORE: Imagine fighting fire using robots.
That is something the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) is
actively looking at doing to enhance its fire-fighting and rescue
capabilities.
One such technology currently being tested is the Red Rhino Robot,
or 3R.
At almost 80kg and less than a metre long, it is a compact and
portable emergency responder that can potentially replace a
traditionally four-man crew on their light fire attack vehicle, to
a three-man crew.
"This robot can penetrate deeper into the seat of fire, without the
risk of having a firefighter in there," Assistant Commissioner Ling
Young Ern, Director of Operations Department said. "With its auto
heat-seeking mechanism, it can autonomously detect fire and seek
out exactly where the heat source is."
The prototype was revealed at the SCDF's workplan seminar on
Wednesday (Apr 18) at the Singapore University of Technology and
Design.
It is one of the various ways the SCDF is focusing on
integrating robotics to enhance capabilities of frontline
responders.
Minister of Home Affairs K Shanmugam, who launched the initiatives
said: "We do it because we have to, but it has been a very
meaningful journey. For example having a robot in a vehicle to
fight fires, it saves us manpower and also enhances the ability of
SCDF to deal with the fires.
"SCDF has had a very strong culture of innovation, bringing in
technology for operational practical purposes. All of them have
increased SCDF operational readiness and ability to fight these
emergencies that arise and save lives.“
EXOSKELETON ASSISTANCE
The SCDF also revealed their new Exoskeleton project, which
enhances a responder’s performance in firefighting and rescue
operations by enabling them to carry up to 40kg of firefighting
equipment without feeling the burden of the weight.
Jointly developed by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the exoskeleton
uses pneumatic pistons to reduce the muscle stress placed on the
responder.
Equipment load will be passed through the machine and transferred
to the ground via the footplate.
"We want this exoskeleton to be able to help our responders to
free up the time and effort in doing physically taxing activities
so they can perform other roles," Lieutenant Colonel Quek Wei Liang
from the operations department said. "It provides assisted power to
the user when he's walking around straight stretches or walking up
and down steps."
In terms of Urban Search and Rescue Operations (USAR), the SCDF is
testing out a Life Detection Robot.
Shaped like a "caterpillar", the unmanned device can travel through
rubbles and uneven terrains.
It is equipped with multiple detection capabilities for better
search performance, including visual imaging, detection of human
presence by picking out sound, heat and chemical releases from the
human body, as well as providing a 3-Dimensional mapping of the
area of operations.
APP UPGRADE
The SCDF MyResponder app, which notifies Community First Responders
(CFRs) of cardiac arrests that occur in their immediate vicinity,
will now include fire cases.
That was another initiative introduced at the workplan
seminar.
It aims to alert CFRs to assist in mitigating minor rubbish chute
fires, which can be easily extinguished but accounts for half of
fires in residential premises.
Forty-two-year-old Amos Hoe, School of Sports, Health and Leisure
Manager at Republic Polytechnic, was having dinner when the app,
then on trial, sounded its alert about a rubbish chute fire near
his place.
“When I saw the fire, I was a bit apprehensive at first," recounted
Hoe.
"But I had a fire extinguisher at home. I grabbed it and I went to
the site. when I reached the fire was bringing itself out. The app
requested for photos to be sent over. I'm quite glad I did that on
hindsight, because of the photos I sent, SCDF won't have to bring
down their appliances. Maybe I saved them a few minutes, which is
just a little bit of what I can do."
Source: CNA/mn