An Australian industrial designer has proposed the use of Advanced Firefighting Apparatus (AFA) Powered Exoskeleton to help firefighters in rescue missions.
The exoskeleton was created to improve muscle performance and assist firefighters in carrying extra weight while allowing them to be free to move, according to Discovery News.
A firefighter's "turnout" gear weighs close to 50 pounds on average. The gear used for wildfires and water rescues can weigh up to 75, 100, and even 125 pounds.
The AFA was designed by Ken Chen, a graduate student at Monash University in Melbourne, as a master's degree design project, Fire Engineering reported.
The technology is based on current military and industrial exoskeleton systems. At the moment, there's no working prototype for the exoskeleton on the market.
While the current AFA weights almost 50 pounds, it can help firefighters carry additional weight of up to 200 pounds, Fire Engineering reported.
The exoskeleton fits over the top of standard firefighting gear. It also features emergency release joints, which firefighters only have to pull once for the exoskeleton to automatically disassemble.
Chen said he was inspired to design the AFA after reading about a 2010 Shanghai fire that took place in a high-rise apartment and led to the deaths of 58 people, Discovery News reported.
"In my research, I found that high-rise buildings can hold thousands of people well above the reach of fire department aerial devices and once the fire is above the operational reach of ladders or elevating platforms, the chance of rescuing the victims is nearly zero," Chen said. "This means the only viable way of rescue for firefighters is the stairs. I wanted to utilize an existing or near-future technology to increase firefighters' walking and carrying abilities."
The exoskeleton features a hands-free water gun that is mounted on the forearm. The heavy-duty "Rescuer" model of the AFA includes a miniature "jaws of life", Discovery News reported.
Lithium-polymer batteries would be used to power the exoskeletons, and would be able to operate for two hours straight.
"According to my research, there are no other firefighting exoskeleton concepts in development - I go the inspiration from military exoskeletons designed by the U.S. Army," Chen said. "Also, some sci-fi movies."
