ASH: the first photos of Marines fighting humanoid robot

ASH (Shipboard Fire Fighting Autonomous Robot) is the first "incarnation" of aluminum, titanium and silicon project Saffir, a program sponsored by the U.S. Naval Research (ONR), which has as its goal the creation of a biped robot designed to extinguish fires on board Navy ships.

The robot is being developed at laboratories RoMeLa in Virginia, in conjunction with the University of Pennsylvania and is now presented in a preliminary version without arms. In the photos, the robot is presented "naked", but in its operational version will be equipped with a real suit that will help them resistant to high temperatures.

ASH is designed to work in extreme conditions with zero visibility from smoke and steam, will therefore rely to a complex network of sensors that will also help to avoid obstacles and complex to maintain balance in situations of rough seas.

The humanoid uses various methods of fire suppression, such as the classic fire extinguishers, fire special grenades PEAT but also the classic sleeves located on board, designed for use "human". Once equipped with arms, ASH will also give assistance to soldiers trapped in the flames. A noble work for a robot, just hope someone is not a bad idea to use it for less humanitarian purposes.