Australia's first fire-fighting robot to be operational

SYDNEY - Australia's first remote controlled fire fighting robot is ready take the heat by moving cars, clearing smoke from buildings and spraying water and foam from up to 90 meters away.

The only robot of its kind in Australia will be sent into diverse situations, such as factory fires and wild fires where it is too dangerous for frontline personnel, New South Wales Fire and Rescue commissioner Greg Mullins said on Thursday.

"The safety of firefighters is my highest priority," Mullins said.

The remotely operated robot from Italian company EmiControls is based off turnkey snow-making technology from parent TechnoAlpin.