FireDrone Receives €161K from Venture Kick for Heat-Resistant Drones
Swiss startup FireDrone, an Empa spin-off, has secured €161,000 (CHF 150,000) from Venture Kick to advance heat-resistant drone technology for extreme environments.
Enhancing Safety in High-Temperature Settings
FireDrone designs autonomous drones capable of withstanding temperatures near 200°C, aimed at improving safety for firefighters and industrial safety teams working in hazardous conditions such as burning buildings and industrial furnaces.
Conventional drones struggle in these environments due to toxic smoke, structural instability, and extreme heat, which limits their ability to provide real-time situational awareness.
Technical Approach and Applications
The drones employ thermal insulation and cooling systems to maintain functionality, helping reduce operational downtime and improving decision-making in dangerous settings.
The company focuses on two main areas:
- High-temperature industrial inspections
- Public safety operations
Target Markets
FireDrone's initial market includes cement, steel, aluminium, waste-to-energy, fertiliser, and glass production industries, as well as emergency response scenarios where heat and smoke prevent use of standard drones.
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."
Author's summary: FireDrone’s heat-resistant drones enhance operational safety in extreme heat environments, offering vital real-time insights where traditional drones fail.