Thermite RS1

Doorways and hallways are the Thermite RS1's territory. The smaller of two firefighting robots from Howe & Howe Technologies in Waterboro, Maine – a Textron Systems company since December 2018 – weighs about 1,600 lb (726 kg) and measures 72 × 44 × 64 in (183 × 112 × 163 cm) according to the quote sheet, so it can be driven into a burning structure ahead of the crew.

An aluminium chassis on tracks carries a 24 hp Kohler KDW1003 diesel with hydrostatic drive and a 9-gallon (34 l) tank; top speed is 8 mph (12.9 km/h). The Elkhart Brass Cobra EXM monitor flows 1,000 to 1,250 gpm, roughly 4,700 l/min, at 200 psi, while a 5,000 lb winch (8,000 lb optional), bumper spray nozzles and self-cooling complete the package.

The operator uses a belly-pack radio controller with live video or a 100 ft (30 m) tether; 1080p HD cameras face front and rear and a thermal imager is optional. Pricing is by quote only, with a GSA listing for US agencies. The larger Thermite RS3 doubles the flow to 2,500 gpm and became the first firefighting robot of a US fire department in Los Angeles in 2020.

Against European electric machines such as the Colossus, the RS1 bets on diesel endurance and standard American monitors rather than battery packs and swappable modules.