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Firefighting robots should be made responsibly

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Firefighting robots have the potential to transform emergency response by operating in hazardous environments that pose extreme risks to firefighters. These so-called "firebots" can withstand extreme heat, smoke, and structural instability without fatigue. However, experienced firefighters rely on intuition, teamwork, and years of practice to navigate these dangers. Skepticism toward innovation in high-stakes environments is expected, and if poorly integrated, firebots could hinder rather than enhance safety. To ensure firebots complement rather than disrupt life-saving operations, we argue for a responsible design framework that aligns their development with firefighter values and decision-making processes.

Source: Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.15805212

Authors: van Manen, Benjamin, Fosch-Villaronga, Eduard

Institutions: Saxion, Leiden University

Language: English

Topic: Ethics and Social Impacts of AI

Subfield: Safety Research

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: European Research Council

OpenAlex ID: W6930990408

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