FireDrone Secures €161K from Venture Kick for Heat-Resistant Drones
Swiss startup FireDrone, an Empa spin-off, has been awarded €161,000 (CHF 150,000) from Venture Kick to advance its development of heat-resistant drones suited for extreme environments.
Enhancing Safety with Innovative Drone Technology
The company creates autonomous drones equipped to endure temperatures near 200°C, aiming to improve safety during emergency responses and industrial inspections. These drones help protect people, infrastructure, and the environment while boosting operational safety in high-risk settings worldwide.
Challenges in High-Temperature Environments
Firefighters and industrial safety teams face considerable dangers when operating in high-temperature areas such as burning buildings and industrial furnaces. These hazards include toxic smoke, unstable structures, and intense heat, which usually prevent conventional drones from functioning effectively. This limits the ability to obtain real-time situational awareness.
Technological Solutions and Market Focus
FireDrone’s platform employs thermal insulation and cooling systems to maintain drone functionality and provide real-time hazard detection where standard drones fail. The company targets two main markets:
- High-temperature industrial inspections
- Public safety operations
Its initial addressable sectors include cement, steel, aluminium, waste-to-energy, fertiliser, and glass production, along with first-responder scenarios rich in heat and smoke.
"FireDrone develops heat-resistant autonomous drones designed to withstand temperatures of around 200°C and provide real-time hazard detection in environments where standard systems are ineffective."
By integrating advanced thermal protection and autonomous capabilities, FireDrone aims to reduce operational downtime and enhance safety decision-making in hazardous environments.
Author’s summary: FireDrone’s heat-resistant drones are set to revolutionize safety in extreme heat environments by enabling real-time hazard detection and supporting emergency responders and industrial inspections worldwide.