As France recovers from the tragedy of the devastating fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on Monday, details are beginning to emerge about how the fire started and how it was fought.
A range of technologies have been deployed to assist the approximately 500 firefighters, including drones and a firefighting robot called Colossus.
The camera-equipped DJI Mavic Pro and Matrice M210 drones provided the firefighters with valuable real-time information about the intensity of the fire, the location of the fires and the spread of the fire.
According to The Verge, French fire brigade spokesman Gabriel Plus said the drones were instrumental in preventing further destruction of the cathedral.
It should be noted that more and more fire departments around the world are using drones in their operations, partly because of their rapid deployment, but also due to their versatility and much lower operating costs compared to helicopters.
In turn, the robot Colossus helped fight the fire inside the burning building, as the intensity of the fire meant an increased risk of heavy wooden logs falling from the burning top of the cathedral, increasing the risk of injury to anyone inside.
The rugged robot weighing around 500 kg was created by the French technology firm Shark Robotics. It is equipped with a motorized water cannon that can be controlled remotely, as well as a high-definition 360-degree camera with a 25x zoom and thermal imaging capability that provides the operator with an all-round view.
While the Colossus is admittedly very slow moving - it can reach speeds of only 2,2 miles per hour (3,5 km/h) - the robot's ability to navigate any obstacles in the terrain makes it an invaluable vehicle for combating fire for the Paris fire brigade.
Source: 3dnews.ru