Hyundai Motor Group released a video titled "A Safer Way Home" on Wednesday, showcasing unmanned firefighting robot technology developed in collaboration with the National Fire Agency.
The automaker said the video conveys its commitment to rapid fire response, minimizing casualties, and protecting firefighters' lives and safety.
The video highlights the dedication of firefighters who risk their lives at every moment, then demonstrates how unmanned firefighting robots deployed in situations too dangerous for human access are making fire suppression safer and more efficient. The video features voices, photographs, and actual field footage from active-duty firefighters. Fire Captain Lim Pal-soon from the Central 119 Rescue Headquarters and other firefighters appear on screen and provide narration, adding authenticity and credibility.
The unmanned firefighting robot is an advanced unmanned mobility solution designed for deployment at actual fire scenes. It is a next-generation disaster response system developed through collaboration among Hyundai Motor, Kia, Hyundai Rotem, Hyundai Mobis, and the National Fire Agency. The video showcases the robot performing missions using core technologies including advanced autonomous driving assistance systems, artificial intelligence-powered visibility enhancement cameras, high-pressure phosphorescent reel hoses, and 6×6 in-wheel motor systems. Footage of the robot's actual deployment at a factory fire in Eumseong, North Chungcheong Province, on January 30 is also included.
The robot features a self-spray system and thermal insulation design for stable operation in extreme temperatures. Spray nozzles surrounding the equipment continuously emit fine water particles to form a protective water film on the exterior, shielding the body from intense heat. Hyundai Motor Group said this enables the robot to perform fire suppression missions stably even in temperatures ranging from 500 to 800 degrees Celsius.
Mobility and situational awareness capabilities have also been enhanced. The advanced autonomous driving assistance system recognizes surrounding terrain and obstacles to reduce collision risks and enables stable movement even in environments with dense obstacles. The AI visibility enhancement camera, based on short- and long-wavelength thermal imaging sensors, uses infrared cameras and AI-based software to secure visibility in smoke-filled, high-heat conditions where sight is limited, transmitting precise field information in real time.
The high-pressure phosphorescent reel hose mounted on the robot is a next-generation fire hose featuring self-illuminating phosphorescent properties that glow in darkness, guiding escape routes and supporting safe movement for entry teams even when visibility is restricted. The drivetrain employs Hyundai Mobis's 6×6 in-wheel motor-based electrification system. With motors in each wheel, the robot can rotate 360 degrees in place and maneuver flexibly in narrow spaces and complex access routes. The electrical modules feature enhanced waterproof and dustproof performance for improved durability.
Hyundai Motor Group expects the unmanned firefighting robot to serve as a "data acquisition platform" that digitizes disaster scenes beyond fire suppression. The plan is to continuously train machine learning systems with various field data collected at fire scenes—including smoke levels, fire scale, and temperature—to develop an advanced "fire response platform." The National Fire Agency, National Fire Research Institute, and Hyundai Motor Group plan to advance the robot into a "truly unmanned firefighting robot" capable of autonomously assessing situations during field deployment, analyzing fire origins and suppression priorities, calculating optimal suppression methods, and executing them automatically.
"The unmanned firefighting robot is technology that deploys ahead of humans into dangerous scenes to protect firefighters' lives and safety," a Hyundai Motor Group spokesperson said. "We will continue developing and supporting technology to serve as a reliable partner for the uniformed heroes who protect society's safety."