Robotics

Auberon exoskeleton takes the strain out of firefighting in towering infernos

Auberon exoskeleton takes the strain out of firefighting in towering infernos
Piston-pumped legs and a specially-designed frame allow Auberon to lighten the load for firefighters
Piston-pumped legs and a specially-designed frame allow Auberon to lighten the load for firefighters
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Piston-pumped legs and a specially-designed frame allow Auberon to lighten the load for firefighters
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Piston-pumped legs and a specially-designed frame allow Auberon to lighten the load for firefighters
Trigen reckons that the twin compressed air tanks will be enough to get a firefighter up and down 12 stories of stairs three times, and still have air to spare
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Trigen reckons that the twin compressed air tanks will be enough to get a firefighter up and down 12 stories of stairs three times, and still have air to spare
The Auberon Pneumatic Exoskeleton is designed to take the strain out of lugging up to 40 kg of firefighting equipment up the stairs of a burning high-rise
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The Auberon Pneumatic Exoskeleton is designed to take the strain out of lugging up to 40 kg of firefighting equipment up the stairs of a burning high-rise
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Bounding up numerous flights of stairs when the elevator is out is punishing enough for our legs and lungs, but imagine having to do so while carrying heavy equipment needed to extinguish a blazing high-rise fire. Such a scenario has prompted specialist vehicle manufacturer Trigen Automotive to work with Singapore's Civil Defence Force to develop Auberon, a purely mechanical exoskeleton designed to take the strain out of carrying emergency equipment up to tower-top fires.

Trigen says that the breathing apparatus, hose lines, nozzles, power tools and more which often make up a firefighter's emergency toolkit can all add up to 40 kg (90 lb) of back-punishing weight, particularly when having to climb flights of stairs in a burning tower. Such equipment becomes much less of a burden when mounted to the Auberon Pneumatic Exoskeleton's specially-designed frame.

Trigen reckons that the twin compressed air tanks will be enough to get a firefighter up and down 12 stories of stairs three times, and still have air to spare
Trigen reckons that the twin compressed air tanks will be enough to get a firefighter up and down 12 stories of stairs three times, and still have air to spare

The electronics-free solution sees two 6.8 liter compressed air tanks powering the exoskeleton, which is reported enough to get a firefighter up and down 12 stories of stairs three times and still have a little to spare. Importantly, the design keeps a firefighter's hands free to tackle the task of putting out a fire, while reducing the heavy burden on the shoulders and back by passing the weight through the exoskeleton and on to the ground via the footplate.

Pneumatic pistons on the legs help the first responder get into an easy stride, making an otherwise daunting stair climb much less of a physical challenge. And should the situation call for the firefighter to escape from the exoskeleton, a quick release mechanism has been included.

"Auberon demonstrates Trigen Automotive's recognition of the essential and demanding work carried out by firefighters worldwide," said the company's Lim Joo Siang. "We have worked very closely with emergency services to understand their challenges on the ground and engineered a reliable solution that mitigates the harsh conditions faced by firefighters in high-rise firefighting."

The company is taking order for Auberon now.

Source: Trigen Automotive

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ChairmanLMAO
looks like it might be a balance issue - i would go the rest of the way and make this tool the robotic exoskeleton firefighters deserve