Because bad ideas come in all shapes and sizes, and, occasionally, the exact shape and size of a robotic dog with a giant flamethrower on its back, the Thermonator is just that. Available from Throwflame, the Thermonator costs $9,980 and has an ARC gasoline or napalm-powered flamethrower attached capable of spitting fire up to 30 feet. Note to self: dig moat for anti-robot shelter at least 30-feet wide.
Thermonator is built from a Unitree Go2 quadruped robot, and includes LIDAR (LIght Detection And Ranging) technology for autonomous obstacle avoidance and mapping. Thanks to an onboard camera, it can be remotely controlled through a smartphone via first-person POV and has a battery life of approximately one hour. Throwflame advertises Thermonator’s uses as “wildfire control and prevention,” “agricultural management,” “ecological conservation,” “snow and ice removal,” and “entertainment and SFX.” Surprisingly, not included in that list are “nefarious plans” and “world domination.”
Does the world need flamethrowing robotic dogs? Of course not, yet here we are. What a time to be alive! Alive, and probably getting chased by a flamethrowing robot dog before too long. Quick, swim across my moat to safety!
[via ArsTechnica]
With over 17 years of writing experience, Jonathan has had a passion for all things tech-related, ever since watching Inspector Gadget as a child. He's disassembled countless appliances and managed to put a few back together, and one still works. When not writing, he can often be found playing video games or accidentally hurting himself in the garage.