FireDrone Secures €161K from Venture Kick to Develop Heat-Resistant Drones
Swiss startup FireDrone, a spin-off from Empa, has received €161,000 (CHF 150,000) from Venture Kick to advance its creation of heat-resistant drones designed for extreme environments. These drones aim to enhance safety in emergency response and industrial inspections by protecting people, infrastructure, and the environment.
Challenges in High-Temperature Environments
Firefighters and industrial safety teams face significant risks when operating in high-temperature settings such as burning buildings and industrial furnaces. These environments pose hazards including toxic smoke, unstable structures, and extreme heat, where typical drones struggle to function effectively. This hampers real-time situational awareness during critical operations.
Innovative Heat-Resistant Drone Technology
FireDrone develops autonomous drones capable of withstanding temperatures around 200°C. Their platform incorporates thermal insulation and cooling systems, enabling real-time hazard detection in areas where standard systems fail. This technology is designed to support safety, reduce operational downtime, and assist in making informed decisions.
Target Markets and Applications
- High-temperature industrial inspections in sectors such as cement, steel, aluminium, waste-to-energy, fertiliser, and glass production
- Public safety and first-responder scenarios where conventional drones cannot operate due to heat and smoke
"Firefighters and industrial safety teams encounter hazards including toxic smoke, structural instability, and extreme heat, limiting the use of conventional drones for real-time situational awareness."
By focusing on these areas, FireDrone aims to improve safety and efficiency across multiple high-risk operations worldwide.
Summary: FireDrone is pioneering heat-resistant drone technology that enables safer, real-time hazard detection in extreme environments, addressing critical needs in industrial inspections and emergency response.