First Firefighting Robot in America Just Helped to Put Out a Blaze in Downtown Los Angeles

Earlier this week, the Los Angeles Fire Department became the first city in the country to add a firefighting robot to their ranks--and it has already proven its metal on the frontlines. Weighing about 3,500 pounds, the Thermite Robotic Systems 3 firefighting vehicle--or RS3 for short--is capable of deploying about 2,500 gallons of water per minute. The vehicle, which can be controlled by a handheld remote from a safe distance, is also equipped with a high-definition video stream so that the operator can easily maneuver the robot through difficult conditions in the field. Although The Los Angeles Times reports that the RS3 is about the same size as a Smart car, it is small enough to fit through a set of double doors while also being strong enough to plow its way through a wall should the need arise. "We can fight the fire from inside," LAFD Chief Ralph Terrazas told the news outlet, adding that the robot was a "game-changer" for his team.