Chapter 98: Firefighting Robots in Action

Time passed, and the first batch of finished NS-5 robots began small-scale trials across Yanhuang Guo.

Among them, the firefighting sector, as a high-risk industry with extremely high efficiency demands, became the focus of the pilot program.

The training base of a certain city's fire brigade.

On the spacious training ground, more than a dozen firefighters in fire gear formed a circle, curiously eyeing the NS-5 robot in the middle.

These robots stand about two meters tall, with sturdy builds and no extra adornments.

They stood still, giving off a powerful impression.

"Is this the intelligent firefighting robot they talked about?"

A young firefighter muttered quietly, a hint of doubt in his eyes.

In his view, no matter how capable the robots are, could they match these experienced firefighters?

"Don't underestimate them; they are the nation's latest technology."

Captain Yang Zhenyu clapped his hands, signaling everyone to quiet down.

"Today we will conduct a joint drill with these new partners. They are equipped with the latest thermal imaging, gas detection, and structural analysis systems, and possess strength and endurance far beyond that of ordinary humans."

Yang Zhenyu walked up to an NS-5 robot and issued a decisive command:

"Number One, identify the obstacle ahead and assess a demolition plan."

The head sensor of the firefighter robot designated Number One flashed faintly, and it immediately began data analysis.

A few seconds later, a steady electronic synthesized voice sounded:

"【Target identified: ahead is a reinforced concrete wall, twelve centimeters thick. Recommend using an impact drill combined with hydraulic shears for demolition; estimated time is one minute thirty seconds.】"

The firefighters exchanged glances; this analysis speed and precision exceeded their expectations.

"Simulate a fire scene and search for trapped personnel," Yang Zhenyu continued to order.

The robot immediately activated, moving with agility through the narrow passages and obstacles simulated on the training ground.

Its body flexed, dodging the "collapsed" beams and columns, and precisely slipped into narrow gaps.

Not long after, the synthesized voice sounded again:

"【Two trapped persons found, located in D Area, Chamber Three of the simulation; vital signs are stable.】"

"This... this is faster than our search-and-rescue dogs!" a firefighter exclaimed.

"Carry the fire hose and lay it out to the designated area as quickly as possible."

With a swing of its arm, the robot effortlessly lifted a thick, high-pressure hose, then sprinted forward at an astonishing speed, the hose unfurling smoothly behind it without a single tangle or knot.

That efficiency left the firefighters on site feeling terrified.

"Have you seen this? It's no mere show."

Yang Zhenyu was very pleased with everyone's reaction.

"They don't need to breathe, aren't afraid of high temperatures, can withstand strong impacts, and can make autonomous judgments in complex environments. In the future, they can replace us in entering the most dangerous interiors of fires."

Despite that, some veteran firefighters still harbored doubts.

"No matter how intelligent the robots are, can they possess human emotions and adaptability?"

"On a real fire scene, things change in an instant—where would there be so much time for 'evaluation' and 'analysis'?"

Just then, a piercing alarm suddenly rang throughout the fire station.

"Emergency assembly! A fire has broken out in an old residential complex on the outskirts of the city; the blaze is fierce and there are people trapped!"

Yang Zhenyu's face changed, and he immediately ordered: "All hands, deploy! The firefighting robots will follow the first wave of vehicles, ready to enter actual combat!"

Thus, all firefighters and robots rushed toward the fire scene.

When they arrived, the scene was already filled with rolling smoke, flames shooting from the windows of a six-story old residential building, and the air reeked of a sharp burnt smell.

Below, a large crowd of onlookers had gathered, anxiously pointing upward and chatting excitedly.

"Is anyone in there? I think I saw a silhouette in the window!"

"This fire is huge; it's dangerous even for firefighters to go inside!"

The first fire truck had just come to a stop when several firefighters jumped out, quickly pulled up the cordon, and laid out the hose.

Close behind, another transport vehicle arrived, its doors slowly opening as six firefighting robots stepped out with steady strides.

"Look, what is that?"

"Is that a robot? Could it be a firefighting robot?"

The onlookers fell silent instantly, all eyes fixed on these tall metallic figures.

They had seen robots in movies, but never imagined they would one day appear at an actual fire scene.

Astonishment, curiosity, and even a hint of anticipation spread through the crowd.

"Number One, immediately scan the fire scene to determine the location of trapped persons and the building's structural stability!"

Yang Zhenyu gave the order to the firefighting robots, while also directing the firefighters to cooperate.

The Number One firefighting robot, upon hearing the command, began a rapid scan of the entire building.

"【Report! Two trapped persons found on the seventh floor: an adult woman and a child, located in Room 703, with faint vital signs.

The floor in that area is at risk of collapse, and the main load-bearing beam structure is severely damaged.】"

The firefighting robot's electronic synthesized voice came through clearly.

"Long Fei and Tang Dezong, you two go in with the two robots and make sure you rescue the trapped persons."

Yang Zhenyu gave the decisive order.

"Don't worry, Captain; we guarantee we'll accomplish the mission!"

Facing this extremely dangerous situation, the two hesitated not at all, grabbed some tools, and rushed in immediately; the two firefighting robots followed closely behind.

Inside the fire scene, thick smoke filled the air, making it impossible to see one's hand in front of one's face.

A wave of heat hit them, mixed with the crackling of burning wood and the sharp sound of breaking glass.

However, when the two people and two robots reached the seventh floor, they found the hallway leading to Room 703 blocked by collapsed bricks and deformed rebar.

"Long Fei, the road is blocked; we can't get in!"

Tang Dezong furrowed his brow.

Looking at the situation ahead, the two of them simply had no good way to resolve it.

【Please let us clear the obstacles ahead.】

At that moment, the No. 1 firefighting robot suddenly spoke.

The two exchanged a glance, then decisively stepped aside, after all time was pressing and they dared not delay.

The two firefighting robots immediately sprang into action.

They walked up to the obstacle, and their strong metal arms exerted force, shoving aside the pile of seemingly immovable bricks and rebar as easily as pushing open a paper door, revealing a gap wide enough for two people to pass through.

The piercing sound of metal scraping was especially clear amid the fire.

Before Long Fei and the other could act, the robots quickly went inside.

Inside Room 703, the fire raged fiercely, the furniture reduced to unrecognizable char.

A young mother clung to a small child, curled up in the corner, her face blackened by smoke, her eyes filled with despair.

They had been trapped for too long, and it seemed they could not hold out much longer.

"Mom... I'm scared..."

The young child whimpered weakly.

"Don't be scared, baby; the firefighter uncle will come to rescue us."

The mother weakly comforted them, but her voice already trembled with tears.

Just then, two tall figures burst through the smoke and appeared before them.

They were the firefighting robots.

【Trapped persons, please do not panic; I will take you out immediately.】

A synthesized voice sounded, bringing a strange sense of comfort.

When the mother saw the two robots, she first froze, then hope ignited in her eyes.

Next, the No. 1 firefighting robot bent down, gently lifting the child with its wide palm in an unexpectedly tender motion.

The child was startled at first, but then miraculously stopped crying.

Meanwhile, the other robot stood before the mother, using its hard body to shield her from the heat wave and falling debris.

"Hurry! Come with us!" At that moment, Long Fei and the other also rushed in, shouting loudly.

During the evacuation, part of the floor suddenly gave a cracking sound, as if about to collapse.

The No. 1 robot reacted swiftly, cradling the child in an agile sideways move while extending its other hand to prop up the load-bearing beam about to fall.

Only after everyone had passed safely did the No. 1 robot release its grip, and that section of floor immediately crashed down, landing where it had just stood.