Swiss startup FireDrone is developing advanced technologies to improve safety in emergency response and industrial inspections. Their drones are designed to protect people, infrastructure, and the environment by enhancing safety in high-risk operations worldwide.
FireDrone, an Empa spin-off, secured €161,000 (CHF 150,000) from Venture Kick to advance heat-resistant drones capable of operating in extreme environments.
Firefighters and industrial safety personnel face significant risks in settings such as burning buildings and industrial furnaces. Hazards include toxic smoke, structural instability, and intense heat, which conventional drones cannot endure, limiting critical real-time awareness.
FireDrone's autonomous drones are engineered to tolerate temperatures up to 200°C using thermal insulation and cooling systems. These features enable real-time hazard detection where standard drones fail to perform.
The company targets two main sectors: high-temperature industrial inspections and public safety. Initial markets include cement, steel, aluminium, waste-to-energy, fertiliser, and glass production, alongside first-responder scenarios where heat and smoke prevent conventional drone use.
FireDrone develops heat-resistant autonomous drones designed to withstand temperatures around 200°C and provide real-time hazard detection in environments where standard systems are ineffective.
Author's summary: FireDrone innovates with heat-resistant drones to enhance safety in extreme industrial and emergency settings, overcoming limitations of conventional drones in dangerous high-temperature conditions.