Australia's new firefighting robot can shoot water and foam

Firefighting in Australia this summer is about to get a little high-tech help.

A turbine-aided firefighting robot, otherwise known as the TAF 20, will be on the front line in New South Wales (NSW) after it was unveiled Thursday in Sydney by the Minister for Emergency Services David Elliott and Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner Greg Mullins.

Among its range of robotic capabilities, the TAF 20 can shoot a stream of water at 90 metres (295 feet), as well as spray foam or mist at 60 metres (197 feet). In addition, the TAF 20 has a high-powered fan able to clear smoke from a room. Read more...