FireDrone Secures €161K from Venture Kick for Heat-Resistant Drones
Swiss startup FireDrone, an Empa spin-off, received €161,000 (CHF 150,000) from Venture Kick to advance its development of heat-resistant drones designed for extreme environments.
Enhancing Safety in High-Risk Operations
The company focuses on technologies that increase safety during emergency response and industrial inspections by using drones built to protect people, infrastructure, and the environment worldwide.
Firefighters and industrial safety teams often face dangers when assessing high-temperature settings such as burning buildings and industrial furnaces. These hazards include toxic smoke, structural instability, and extreme heat.
Limitations of Conventional Drones
Standard drones typically fail to operate effectively under such extreme conditions, which restricts real-time situational awareness for responders.
Heat-Resistant Autonomous Drones
FireDrone develops autonomous drones capable of withstanding temperatures around 200°C. The drones provide real-time hazard detection where conventional systems are ineffective.
The company’s platform employs thermal insulation and cooling technologies to enhance safety, reduce operational downtime, and support informed decision-making.
Target Markets
FireDrone primarily serves two segments:
- High-temperature industrial inspections
- Public safety and first responder scenarios
The initial markets include cement, steel and aluminium production, waste-to-energy facilities, fertilizer plants, and glass manufacturing, especially where heat and smoke prevent the 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 advances safety in dangerous, high-heat environments by creating autonomous drones resistant to extreme temperatures, enhancing hazard detection for responders and industry.