A new era in firefighting: The "Colossus" fire-fighting robot, hailed as the "hero of France" due to its success in taming the giant blaze at Notre Dame Cathedral in April 2019, has landed in Israel.
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The robot was officially received over the weekend at the Israel Fire and Rescue Authority headquarters in Rishon Lezion in a ceremony attended by Public Security Minister Amir Ohana, fire commissioner Dedi Simhi and other high-ranking officers.
Israel Fire and Rescue Authority officials said the remote-controlled Colossus, designed to support and minimize the risks posed to human firefighters and first-responders in dangerous missions, ushers in a new era of firefighting.
Video: Israel Fire and Rescue Authority
The Colossus employs a high-pressure water cannon and powerful all-terrain treads and can help extinguish fires, clear away debris, and evacuate victims.
About one month ago, the robot, which comes with a price tag of NIS 1.4 million ($423,810), was flown to Israel and is currently being tested and assimilated by the Israel Fire and Rescue Authority's elite Lehava unit, which operates in particularly dangerous terrain and conditions.
"The robot expands the firefighting arsenal at our disposal to respond to the broad range of threats," said Simhi.
Netanel Barkai, the acting head of the Research and Development Department at the Israel Fire and Rescue Authority, said the robot "represents a significant leap" in the country's ability to fight fires.
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