Revolution in Augsburg fire brigade operations: The RTE fire fighting robot is here!

Revolution in Augsburg fire brigade operations: The RTE fire fighting robot is here!

Something exciting is happening at Augsburg Central Station! A new firefighting robot, the RTE Robot, rides on tram tracks and is ready to be used in fire emergencies. Photographers and television crews gathered at the current location on Halderstrasse to document this innovative device. The RTE Robot has the potential to revolutionize the way fire protection is delivered in urban areas.

What makes this robot so special? The RTE Robot sprays an impressive 3,000 to 3,500 liters of water per minute and is equipped with modern technologies, including a thermal imaging camera to identify sources of fire and people in the danger area. The robot also has a smoke extraction system. Its goal is to relieve the emergency services during particularly risky operations and to put them in a safe position before they have to act themselves.

Technical details and possible uses

The RTE Robot is the first of its kind designed specifically for use on rails. In the tram tunnel under Augsburg Central Station, it can drive remotely controlled on tracks, which is a great advantage in narrow and difficult-to-access areas. Its transport capacity is also remarkable: the robot can carry up to 700 kg of equipment, which would normally require the team of four firefighters. It can also attach sandbags, providing an additional dimension to firefighting.

A very practical detail is the ability to remove the rail attachments within minutes, so that the robot can also be used flexibly outside the tunnel. It is not only suitable for use in urban areas, but also in regions that are difficult to access, be it on steep slopes or in water areas, where it can operate up to a certain water depth.

Costs and international relevance

The costs for the RTE Robot are between 45,000 and 140,000 euros, with the Augsburg robot costing an average of around 100,000 euros. A big plus point is that the robot can be stored in a roll-off container, which can also be loaded onto an emergency vehicle. This significantly improves mobility and reaction speed. In addition, the RTE Robot has attracted international interest, including from the city of New York.

Another aspect that is worth addressing is the growing acceptance of remote-controlled support systems among fire departments in Germany and Austria. These technologies are increasingly seen as the future standard in firefighting operations as they increase the safety, efficiency and endurance of emergency services. Innovative solutions like these could also be of crucial use in crisis situations, such as those that occurred in Ukraine during the conflict.

In order to give the fire-fighting robot a name, Augsburg citizens are invited to submit suggestions on the city's “Join in” platform. An original name could give the new technological wonder additional flair.

In summary, the RTE Robot is not only a masterpiece of engineering, but could also symbolize the future of firefighting in urban areas. With a stop in operation planned for mid-2026 and full commissioning of the mobility hub by the end of 2027, Augsburg is well on its way to taking a pioneering role in this area.

In this exciting time for the fire department and urban fire protection, it is clear that the RTE Robot could be an example of innovation and the use of new technologies to increase safety and efficiency - not just in Augsburg, but worldwide.

For more information on this topic you can read the articles on BR.de, Augsburger Allgemeine and Brandhot magazine read up.