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Last updated on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
(LAFAYETTE) - Firefighters of the future could stay out of burning buildings thanks to a high-tech helper.
DRB Fatec, a Korean company, showed off its firefighting robot during a presentation before city and community leaders at the Lafayette Fire Department on Tuesday.
The remote-controlled machine can take a hose into a burning structure or find victims using infrared technology, RTV6's Chance Walser reported.
"We're always looking for new technology, new equipment that would help us provide a service to our customers, which would be the citizens of Lafayette, and also to protect our firefighters," said Chief Richard Doyle.
The goal for DRB Fetac is to continue developing a partnership with Purdue University's Computer and Information Technology Department.
The company is also considering expanding into central Indiana, which could mean future jobs for Lafayette and surrounding communities.
"It could turn out to be a very large thing, including, you know, lots of high-tech jobs for a city like Lafayette, so they have an interest in the economic development that may be a result of this," said Eric Matson, a Purdue technology professor.
Of course the price of the robot is an important piece of the puzzle. The company said it hasn't settled on an exact cost, but Purdue officials said it will likely run in the tens of thousands of dollars.
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