Hyundai Motor Group Uses Unmanned Firefighting Robots to Protect Firefighter Safety

Donation ceremony for unmanned firefighting robots held on the 24th
Chairman Chung Euisun: "We will spare no effort in providing the necessary technologies and support"

Based on Hyundai Rotem’s multipurpose unmanned vehicle “HR-Sherpa”
Deployed to units including the Capital Region 119 Special Rescue Unit for real-world operations

Hyundai Motor Group has begun efforts to protect the safety of citizens and firefighters by deploying an unmanned firefighting robot that incorporates the company’s core technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI).

Chung Euisun: "A new mobility solution that realizes our shared goal of 'technology that saves lives'"

On the 25th, Hyundai Motor Group announced that the previous day it held a donation ceremony for unmanned firefighting robots at the Capital Region 119 Special Rescue Unit in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, attended by Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun, President Sung Kim, Hyundai Rotem President Lee Yongbae, Acting Commissioner of the National Fire Agency Kim Seungryong, Director General for Planning and Coordination Lee Jinho, and other key officials.

To protect the safety of citizens and firefighters from fires, Hyundai Motor Group officially donated four unmanned firefighting robots, which are remote fire-suppression devices jointly developed with the National Fire Agency, to the agency. The unmanned firefighting robots were built by mounting various fire suppression devices on Hyundai Rotem’s electrified multipurpose unmanned vehicle “HR-Sherpa,” which can be driven remotely.

Chung Euisun, chairman of Hyundai Motor Group (left), and Kim Seungryong, acting Commissioner of the National Fire Agency, are taking a commemorative photo at the donation ceremony for unmanned firefighting robots held at the Capital Region 119 Special Rescue Unit in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, on the 24th. Photo by Lee Seungjin

That day, Chairman Chung Euisun told reporters, “Every time I see firefighters struggling at fire scenes, my heart aches, and I know firefighters have the hardest job. So I thought that, as an automaker, we should do everything we can for them,” explaining the background behind the development of the unmanned firefighting robot.

He continued, “We are starting with four units, but our goal is to improve performance and deploy about 100 units nationwide so that firefighters can work with greater peace of mind,” adding, “We need to incorporate more AI technology and robotics technology.” Taking into account budget conditions and other factors, the National Fire Agency plans to eventually deploy up to 100 unmanned firefighting robots in the field.

Chairman Chung said, “The unmanned firefighting robots we are donating today are equipment that brings together Hyundai Motor Group’s core technologies, and they are a new mobility solution that realizes our shared goal of ‘technology that saves lives.’ I hope they will be reliable teammates that can be sent into dangerous scenes ahead of you to protect your safety.”

Of the four unmanned firefighting robots donated that day, two units have already been pre-deployed at the Capital Region and Yeongnam 119 Special Rescue Units at the request of the National Fire Agency and are being put into real operations at fire scenes. The remaining two units are scheduled to be additionally deployed early next month, with one each going to the Gyeonggi Southern and South Chungcheong Fire Headquarters.

Unmanned firefighting robots build a safer fire response system through remote fire suppression

According to the National Fire Agency’s statistical yearbook released last year, a total of 1,802 firefighters were injured or killed in the line of duty due to fires over the past 10 years. In light of this situation, Hyundai Motor Group actively reflected on-site feedback from firefighters and concentrated the group’s technological capabilities to develop unmanned firefighting robots, with the goal of reducing the risk of injury to firefighters in disaster environments.

The unmanned firefighting robot is equipped on Hyundai Rotem’s HR-Sherpa with a water cannon, an independent water-spray system, a vision-enhancement camera, a remote controller, and other devices, enabling it to carry out remote fire suppression missions in place of firefighters even in extreme heat and thick smoke.

The water cannon mounted on the front of the unmanned firefighting robot is the core component for fire suppression. It features a nozzle capable of both direct-stream and spray-type water discharge control, allowing for effective response to various fire patterns.

On the 24th, at the Metropolitan 119 Special Rescue Unit in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, an unmanned firefighting robot developed by Hyundai Motor Group is fighting a fire. Photo by Lee Seungjin

The independent water-spray system uses spray nozzles surrounding the equipment to continuously discharge fine water particles, forming a water curtain around the exterior of the unit and protecting the robot body from flames and high temperatures.

Through this system, the unmanned firefighting robot can lower its equipment temperature to around 50 to 60 degrees Celsius even in environments reaching 500 to 800 degrees Celsius, enabling smooth firefighting operations in close proximity to the fire scene.

The vision-enhancement camera mounted on the upper front section uses infrared sensors to achieve excellent target-detection performance even amid flames and dense smoke, helping identify the ignition point and people in need of rescue.

The remote controller is connected to the unmanned firefighting robot via wireless communication, transmitting live video from the scene. Based on this footage, the equipment operator monitors both the situation at the fire site and the status of the robot, and controls remote driving and firefighting operations.

On the afternoon of the 24th, at a donation ceremony for Hyundai Motor Group's unmanned firefighting robots held at the Capital Region 119 Special Rescue Unit in Byeollae-dong, Namyangju, Gyeonggi-do, an unmanned firefighting robot is demonstrating fire suppression and then showcasing its mobility. Yonhap News

Hyundai Motor Group to support treatment and rehabilitation of injured firefighters through the National Firefighters Hospital

In addition to unmanned firefighting robots, Hyundai Motor Group will also carry out a variety of initiatives to support firefighters.

Hyundai Motor Group plans to actively continue its support for firefighting by donating vehicles and rehabilitation equipment for the treatment and rehabilitation of firefighters to the National Firefighters Hospital in Eumseong-gun, North Chungcheong Province, the nation’s first specialized medical institution for firefighters, which is scheduled to officially open in June this year.

Previously, in 2023, Hyundai Motor Group donated a total of 10 “firefighter recovery support vehicles” to fire headquarters across the country to support the rest and recovery of firefighters who protect citizens’ lives at various disaster scenes.

The recovery support vehicle is a premium special-purpose bus created by modifying Hyundai Motor Group’s Universe mobile office, and firefighters’ on-site feedback was actively reflected throughout the vehicle production process, including in the design of rest facilities and convenience features.

In 2024, to establish more effective fire safety measures, the group developed the “EV-Drill Lance,” a through-penetration electric vehicle fire suppression device that drills a hole in the battery pack and injects water, and donated a total of 250 units to the National Fire Agency.

Chairman Chung said, “At the National Firefighters Hospital, which opens in June this year, we will support vehicles and rehabilitation equipment to help firefighters recover quickly,” emphasizing, “Hyundai Motor Group will continue to spare no effort in providing the necessary technologies and support so that firefighters can carry out their duties in an even safer environment.”

Acting Commissioner of the National Fire Agency Kim Seungryong said, “Today marks the first step in a paradigm shift that will rewrite the history of disaster response,” adding, “Going forward, we will continue to actively introduce advanced science and technology into the field through innovative partnerships with the private sector, including Hyundai Motor Group, a world-class mobility company.”