Hyundai deploys firefighting robots
29th April 2026
Hyundai Motor Group has donated four unmanned firefighting robots to South Korea’s National Fire Agency, aiming to improve firefighter safety in high-risk emergency environments.
The robots, designed for remote fire suppression and rescue missions, were officially handed over during a ceremony in February.
The system is based on Hyundai Rotem’s HR-Sherpa electrified multi-purpose unmanned vehicle and has been adapted for fire suppression duties. It features a front-mounted water cannon capable of direct and spray-type control, allowing crews to respond to different fire patterns from a safe distance.
A self-spraying cooling system creates a protective water curtain around the robot, enabling it to withstand environments reaching up to 800 degrees Celsius while maintaining an internal temperature of 50 to 60 degrees. An infrared vision-enhancing camera improves visibility through smoke and flames, helping operators identify both fire origins and trapped people.
The six-wheel independent drive system and high-temperature-resistant tyres also allow the robot to move across unstable terrain filled with debris and obstacles.
Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair, Euisun Chung, said the project reflected the company’s goal of developing technology that saves lives.
“The Unmanned Firefighting Robots that we are donating embody Hyundai Motor Group’s core technologies and represent a new form of mobility built on our shared goal of technology that saves lives,” Chung said.