Skip to content

TechRepublic

  • Top Products Lists
  • AI
  • Developer
  • Payroll
  • Security
  • Project Management
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • Innovation
  • Cheat Sheets
  • Cloud
  • 5G
  • Big Data
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • Top Products Lists
  • AI
  • Developer
  • Payroll
  • Security
  • Project Management
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • Innovation
  • Cheat Sheets
  • Cloud
  • 5G
  • Big Data
  • See All Topics
  • Sponsored
  • Newsletters
  • Forums
  • Resource Library
TechRepublic Premium
Join / Sign In
After Hours

Images: Snakes on a fire truck

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

TechRepublic Premium

  • TechRepublic Premium

    Enterprise IoT calculator: TCO and ROI

    Internet of Things devices serve a number of useful applications, such as environmental, asset or inventory monitoring/control, security functions, fitness devices and smartwatches. There is an array of IoT functions for both consumer and business purposes, but determining the total cost of ownership and the return on your enterprise investment in a widespread or large-scale ...

    Downloads
    Published:  June 6, 2023, 4:00 PM EDT Modified:  June 7, 2023, 9:15 AM EDT Read More See more TechRepublic Premium
  • TechRepublic Premium

    Employee political activity policy

    No matter where in the world an enterprise operates, politics is going to play a major role in the lives of its employees. Depending on the country and the current political situation, it’s possible for affiliations, candidates and political parties to become a driving passion in your workforce. While an actively engaged workforce taking interest ...

    Downloads
    Published:  June 6, 2023, 4:00 PM EDT Modified:  June 7, 2023, 8:42 AM EDT Read More See more TechRepublic Premium
  • TechRepublic Premium

    Diversity and inclusion policy

    The importance of diversity and inclusion in any given organization cannot be overstated. It establishes a level playing field, brings together people with different backgrounds, perspectives, traditions and ideas and enriches company culture by ensuring fairness and tolerance. This helps build a more effective and collaborative workforce which enables the business to run in a ...

    Downloads
    Published:  June 5, 2023, 4:00 PM EDT Modified:  June 6, 2023, 9:27 AM EDT Read More See more TechRepublic Premium
  • TechRepublic Premium

    Development lifecycle policy

    Software development is a complex process that involves a specific series of steps (known as the development lifecycle) to transform a concept into a deliverable product. The steps involved with creating the finished product must be carefully adhered to yield the best results, reduce inefficiencies and maximize customer satisfaction. The purpose of this policy from ...

    Downloads
    Published:  June 5, 2023, 4:00 PM EDT Modified:  June 6, 2023, 9:15 AM EDT Read More See more TechRepublic Premium

Services

  • About Us
  • Newsletters
  • RSS Feeds
  • Site Map
  • Site Help & Feedback
  • FAQ
  • Advertise
  • Do Not Sell My Information

Explore

  • Downloads
  • TechRepublic Forums
  • Meet the Team
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • Resource Library
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • TechRepublic
  • TechRepublic on Twitter
  • TechRepublic on Facebook
  • TechRepublic on LinkedIn
  • TechRepublic on Flipboard
© 2023 TechnologyAdvice. All rights reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Property of TechnologyAdvice