Meet the Thermonator: A Flame-Throwing Robotic Dog Now on Sale
8 May 2024 16:39
A "quadruped" like this has never been seen before. In the United States, a self-operating robot dog equipped with a flamethrower is now for sale, priced at CAD 13,000. It's available to anyone.
The robotic "dog" designed by an American company includes an integrated flamethrower and—interestingly—is completely legal in most US states. Its intended uses are varied, from controlling vegetation and pests for ecosystem management to snow and ice removal.
Named the Thermonator, it's priced at CAD 13,000.
This machine is modelled after the Go1 robotic dog by Unitree Robotics, a Chinese firm. Its design mirrors that of Spot, the robotic dog launched by Boston Dynamics about nine years ago.
A flamethrower is mounted on its "back," which, as the manufacturer claims, can project flames up to about 10 meters, with a fuel tank that accepts gasoline or a diesel mixture.
The Thermonator comes equipped with systems to avoid obstacles, a laser sight, and the capability to navigate or be controlled independently through Bluetooth.
This "pet" has gained popularity on social media and is touted as an effective tool for clearing snow and ice from private driveways, among other uses.
This innovation is the latest in American robotic advancements. Previously, a robotic dog with a mounted sniper rifle was introduced, and last year, a machine equipped with a rocket launcher made headlines. These developments hint that scenarios once reserved for science fiction films are now becoming a reality.
The release of the Thermonator has sparked significant debate. It will be accessible for purchase in 48 states, where the classification of flamethrowers as weapons remains ambiguous.
