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An intriguing article about the fire that broke out last week at a tire recycling plant in Hoopeston, Illinois, highlights an unusual and innovative response from Purdue University’s fire department. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, involved a significant blaze at J&R Used Tire Service, prompting local firefighters to call for outside help.
Purdue Fire Chief Kevin Ply received a request from the Champaign Fire Department, asking for assistance in tackling the flames. What followed was not just a standard firefighting operation — it included an unexpected and high-tech addition: a prototype firefighting robot developed by Purdue researchers.
Initially, some firefighters were doubtful about the robot’s effectiveness. However, once it was deployed inside the burning building, its impact became clear. “Once we got it into the structure, they saw what it could do,†Ply explained. “It made a real difference in controlling the fire.â€
The robot was used in an area where the fire had caused partial structural collapse — a spot too dangerous for human firefighters. “We weren’t going to send anyone in there,†said Ply. “But the robot could go in and help.â€
The project is being led by Professor Eric Dietz from Purdue’s College of Technology, who is working with a Korean company to develop the technology. He called the real-world test invaluable. “This is exactly what you hope for in research — getting actual users to test your equipment,†Dietz said. “It gave us real feedback on what needs improvement.â€
Ply and his team operated the robot for nearly four hours, draining its battery completely. Now, they’re dealing with a software glitch that causes the water hose to activate without being commanded. “We’ll give the researchers this feedback so the next version can be better,†he said.
Beyond the technical improvements, the collaboration also has economic implications. Dietz noted that the Korean company is interested in exploring how to bring manufacturing or partnerships to the U.S. “This isn’t just about research — it’s also about economic development,†he added.
Despite the challenges, both Ply and Dietz see great potential in the technology. They agree that future versions of the robot should focus on faster battery charging and easier battery replacement in the field. For now, the experience in Hoopeston has proven that robotics can play a meaningful role in modern firefighting.