Skip to content

TechRepublic

  • Top Products
  • AI
  • Developer
  • Payroll
  • Security
  • Project Management
  • Accounting
  • CRM
  • Academy
Resources
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • Newsletters
  • Resource Library
  • Forums
  • Sponsored
Go Premium
Popular Topics
  • Top Products
  • AI
  • Developer
  • Payroll
  • Security
  • Project Management
  • Accounting
  • CRM
  • Academy
  • Project Management
  • Innovation
  • Cheat Sheets
  • Big Data
  • Tech Jobs
View All Topics
Go Premium
After Hours

Images: Snakes on a fire truck

By Bill Detwiler August 17, 2006, 1:18 AM PDT Bill Detwiler on Twitter billdetwiler

Image
1
of 6

Anna Konda
Anna Konda
Images: Snakes on a fire truck

Sintef

Meet Anna Konda, a water-spewing robot snake that is being developed by Norwegian research company Sintef to assist rescue workers in situations that are too dangerous for humans. Sinteff initiated the “Snakefighter Project” in 2003 and built the 3-meter long demonstration unit that is capable of various forms of snake-like propulsion. And, it can also raise its head and spray water.

Sintef
Images: Snakes on a fire truck

The main purpose of the robot water snakes will be to assist rescue workers in extremely dangerous situations. Future Anna Kondas will be able to enter burning buildings, fight tunnel fires or slither through wreckage from an earthquake. The developers also see the snakes being used to carry critical supplies such as oxygen masks or communications devices to rescue workers. rnrn

Left is an illustration of how finished devices would look fighting a fire.

Images: Snakes on a fire truck

The idea behind the robot snake is to equip a fire hose with water hydraulic valves and actuators that make it capable of moving forward like a biological snake. However, plain water contains corrosive and poor lubricating properties–making it a challenge to build miniature hyrdraulic components to work over an extended period, says Pal Liljeback, Sintef spokesman for the Snakefighter Project. Therefore, engineers are custom-building small water hydraulic valves that are used to move each joint in the snake robot.

Images: Snakes on a fire truck

Designers envision that the robot’s hydraulic power will enable it to clear away heavy objects and perhaps even smash through walls.rnrn

Right, water nozzles on the face of a covered Anna Konda.

Images: Snakes on a fire truck

An early demonstration shows Anna Konda at work.

Images: Snakes on a fire truck

This illustration shows how robot snakes would fight a fire in a tunnel.

  • After Hours
  • Account Information

    Share with Your Friends

    Images: Snakes on a fire truck

    Your email has been sent

Share: Images: Snakes on a fire truck
Image of Bill Detwiler
By Bill Detwiler
Bill Detwiler is the Editor for Technical Content and Ecosystem at Celonis. He is the former Editor in Chief of TechRepublic and previous host of TechRepublic's Dynamic Developer podcast and Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show.
  • Account Information

    Contact Bill Detwiler

    Your message has been sent

  • |
  • See all of Bill's content

Daily Tech Insider

If you can only read one tech story a day, this is it.

TechRepublic TechRepublic
  • TechRepublic on Facebook
  • TechRepublic on X
  • TechRepublic on LinkedIn
  • TechRepublic on YouTube
  • TechRepublic on Pinterest
  • TechRepublic RSS
Services
  • About Us
  • Newsletters
  • RSS Feeds
  • Site Map
  • Site Help & Feedback
  • FAQ
  • Advertise
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • Careers
Explore
  • Downloads
  • TechRepublic Forums
  • Meet the Team
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • Resource Library
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • Editorial Policy
  • Legal Terms
  • Privacy Policy
© 2025 TechnologyAdvice. All rights reserved.
CLOSE

Create a TechRepublic Account

Get the web's best business technology news, tutorials, reviews, trends, and analysis—in your inbox. Let's start with the basics.

Already registered? Sign In
Use Facebook
Use Linkedin

* - indicates required fields

CLOSE

Sign in to TechRepublic

Not a member? Create an account
Use Facebook
Use Linkedin

Lost your password? Request a new password

CLOSE

Reset Password

Please enter your email adress. You will receive an email message with instructions on how to reset your password.

Check your email for a password reset link. If you didn't receive an email don't forgot to check your spam folder, otherwise contact support.

Back to login
1 Finish Profile
2 Newsletter Preferences
CLOSE

Welcome. Tell us a little bit about you.

This will help us provide you with customized content.

No thanks, continue without
1 Finish Profile
2 Newsletter Preferences
CLOSE

Want to receive more TechRepublic news?

Newsletter Name
Subscribe
Daily Tech Insider
Daily Tech Insider AU
TechRepublic UK
TechRepublic News and Special Offers
TechRepublic News and Special Offers International
Executive Briefing
Innovation Insider
Project Management Insider
Microsoft Weekly
Cloud Insider
Data Insider
Developer Insider
TechRepublic Premium
Apple Weekly
Cybersecurity Insider
Google Weekly
Toggle All
No thanks, continue without

You're All Set

Thanks for signing up! Keep an eye out for a confirmation email from our team. To ensure any newsletters you subscribed to hit your inbox, make sure to add [email protected] to your contacts list.

Back to Home Page
×