Thermonator: meet the dog robot equipped with a flamethrower that sparks curiosity

The future of robotics is getting closer and closer, and a new creation is catching the public’s attention. American company ThrowFlame, known for its compact, electric flamethrowers, has joined forces with Chinese company Unitree to develop a robot that is sure to arouse curiosity and, at the same time, raise questions about its purpose.

Meet the Thermonator

This is Thermonator, a dog robot equipped with an ARC flamethrower from Throwflame. Weighing in at 37 pounds, this incredible four-legged automaton is based on the popular Unitree GO1 and brings with it an impressive firepower.

The ARC flamethrower, made from 6061-T6 aluminum and finished in matte black, has a remarkable range of up to 100 meters.

However, it’s important to note that Boston Dynamics, the creator of the four-legged Spot robot, initially explicitly prohibited the use of its products as weapons. While Throwflame isn’t trying to position the Thermonator as a weapon, it’s hard to ignore the presence of a flamethrower in its design.

The technology behind the ARC flamethrower It’s fascinating. Using a plasma ignition button instead of an open flame, the device ensures greater safety and control during use.

Powered by a custom battery pack with 18650 lithium-ion cells, similar to those used by Tesla, the Thermonator can operate continuously for over 45 minutes on a single charge.

Throwflame is currently accepting pre-orders for the Thermonator, with the first batch scheduled to ship in Q3 2023. While pricing has yet to be revealed, it’s worth noting that Throwflame’s ARC flame thrower has a street value of $699.

With its ability to navigate rough terrain, its ability to climb stairs and its ability to avoid obstacles thanks to its 12 degrees of freedom, the Thermonator is an impressive piece of engineering.

However, it is inevitable that debates will arise about the ethical and safety limits of equipping a robot with a flame-throwing device.