Premiere for an unusual emergency vehicle: Scientists from the German Rescue Robotics Center (DRZ) and experts from the Dortmund fire department have developed a completely new type of lead vehicle.
In the future, it will be available for research purposes and exercises for testing robots and drones as well as for special large-scale operations. The RobLW, as it is internally called, was presented in Dortmund on Wednesday.
Vehicles for robotic operations
In keeping with the occasion, a robot symbolically handed over an oversized key to DRZ board member - Thomas Straßmann. As Straßmann then explained, the RobLW was developed as a prototype.
Thomas Straßmann said, “Such special vehicles for robotic operations are not yet common in research or fire departments.”
transport capacity
Project Coordinator - Stefan Grobelny from the Institute for Fire and Rescue Technology (IFR) of the Dortmund Fire Department, who presented the vehicle, explained, “The lead vehicle offers transport capacity for both specialist personnel and robots, including accessories and a lot of technology."
Stefan Grobelny adds, "In addition, the robots can be operated from inside - whether on the ground or in the air. The data obtained is monitored and evaluated and distributed if necessary.”
Key features
- Transporting ground robots and drones.
- Transporting batteries and accessories.
- Small workbench.
- Flexible roof panel for easy integration of different antennas.
- Situational representation and control at two fixed workstations.
- Another workplace for researchers or managers.
- Flexible rack system to accommodate various IT technologies.
- Self-sufficiency through, among other things, a radio cell and power generator.
The “inner workings” include, among other things, powerful servers for creating 3D models, two PCs with 43-inch screens, a 4 KW power generator, WLAN, and extensive radio equipment for special operating conditions.
goals and advantages of the DRZ
vfdb President - Dirk Aschenbrenner, Director of the Dortmund Fire Department and Chairman of the board of the non-profit organization - DRZ, praised the future shared usage concept in a welcoming speech.
Dirk Aschenbrenner said, “In certain scenarios, there will be a mixed crew from the DRZ project and the fire department. We can also use the research vehicle in 'real' operations. In this way, we gain valuable experience as users, which we pass on to researchers and developers. That is exactly one of the most important goals and advantages of the DRZ: bringing together specialist knowledge and user experience.”
RobLW
The RobLW was originally supposed to celebrate its premiere at the trade fair INTERSCHUTZ in Hanover
The DRZ project was started two years ago. It is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), and the IFR is responsible for coordination.
The RobLW was originally supposed to celebrate its premiere at the trade fair INTERSCHUTZ in Hanover. However, due to the Corona crisis, the trade fair had to be postponed until next year (June 14th to 19th, 2021).
“Since there is great interest from home and abroad, we will present our vehicle there in 2021,” assures DRZ Managing Director - Robert Grafe, who was unable to be present due to illness.
modern technology
According to Dirk Aschenbrenner, the inauguration of the new lead vehicle comes at exactly the right time, “Overcoming the coronavirus pandemic has once again clearly shown how urgently it is necessary to promote modern technology."
He adds, "This also includes the realization that robots can increasingly serve as technical helpers to limit dangers to people. In crucial cases, they can even save lives."