A four wheel drive boom lift robot for bush fire fighting

Abstract

This paper concerns the development of a semi-autonomous 40 foot boom lift vehicle for robotic bush fire fighting support which aims at minimising risk of injury or death by bush fire fighters in critical conditions. The vehicle is intended to be multi-purpose and support forward scout, search and rescue and actual fire fighting activities alongside human operatives. Multiple level control strategies, inspired by an earlier semi-autonomous wheelchair project, are being implemented. Progress to date is presented. © 2008 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.