Flame-Throwing Robot Dog Can Stream Fire From Over 30 Feet

Robot dogs have so far been a boon for security, deliveries, walking in fashion shows… and setting stuff on fire? Well, one company believes the untapped potential of these bots includes aiming a stream of fire 30 feet in one direction.
 
According to Gizmodo, the ‘Thermonator’ by flamethrowing company Throwflame seems to be attached to a Unitree Go1 robodog that can move about autonomously to some degree, thanks to its onboard cameras and sensors. It can also be controlled remotely via a wireless controller.
 

Attached to it is one of Throwflame’s ARC Flamethrowers, which houses a tank for gasoline or diesel that can blast a stream of fire for up to 45 minutes. In total, the Go1 robot itself weighs 26 lbs, but together with the flamethrower, that comes up to 60 lbs.
 
The bot does maintain certain similarities to Boston Dynamics’ dog. Still, the company did not (or rather, could not) go with Spot as Boston Dynamics prevents weaponization of its products under the End-User License Agreement (EULA).

Nevertheless, here we are with a fire-wielding robot that is up for sale, with shipping being ready for an undisclosed amount by the third quarter of this year.
 
While the idea might seem a little reckless if it were to fall into the hands of the wrong person, it does seem like the main idea behind many of Throwflame’s products are for work on movie sets—as seen on the company’s ‘Clout’ page. That said, you should still be cautioned that unless you have a really good reason or a film you’re working on, you should probably think twice about taking one of these fiery robots home.

 
 
 
[via Futurism and Gizmodo, images via Throwflame]