Photos: The firefighting robots taking to London's streets

Four robots designed to tackle dangerous fires were shown off in London yesterday by defence technology company QinetiQ.

Under a two-year deal - jointly funded by Network Rail, the Highways Agency and Transport for London, in collaboration with the London Fire Brigade - QinetiQ's remote operated vehicles (ROVs) can be called out to fires within Greater London and the surrounding counties where acetylene gas cylinders are suspected to be involved. The aim is to minimise civic disruption and the risk to human life by letting the ROVs go in first.

The yellow ROV shown in the background removing the van door is called Brokk 90: a heavy duty mini-digger-based vehicle that is designed to remove debris and gain access to vehicles or structures where gas cylinders are thought to be located.

According to QinetiQ, standard Fire & Rescue Service procedure is to impose an initial hazard zone of 200m for up to 24 hours if acetylene gas cylinders have been involved in fire. Use of the ROVs aims to reduce this time and cut disruption to transportation routes and local communities.

Photo credit: QinetiQ